T’s Simple Stuffed Shells

1 Box jumbo shells

Cook, drain drizzle with a little olive oil and let them cool slightly.

Filling:

1 tablespoon EVOO

2 ounces pancetta, chopped into small pieces

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1-pound ground turkey

1 bag or more finely diced baby spinach, chopped

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 eggs, beaten

1/4 cup heavy cream, more if needed for a creamy mixture but not to wet

1/8 teaspoon pepper

Dash cayenne

1/8 teaspoon fresh nutmeg

Heat olive oil and sauté pancetta until it starts to get crispy then add onions and sauté until they are soft and clear.  Next add in the garlic and the ground turkey and cook until turkey is cooked through. Then add the spinach cooking for 1-2 minutes, just to wilt the spinach. Remove turkey mixture from the heat and scrap it into a large bowl.  Add cheese, eggs, cream, nutmeg and pepper and cayenne mixing well. Set aside.

Marinara Sauce:

1 tablespoon EVOO

1 small onion, diced

1 clove garlic, minced

1 Large can crushed tomatoes

Pinch sugar

Dash red pepper flakes

Dash fresh pepper

Pinch salt

½ teaspoon dried basil or 2 tablespoons fresh, minced- optional and to taste

In a sauce pan heat the olive oil and cook onions until very soft and clear. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.  Next add in all other ingredients and simmer for 30 minutes. 

Cheese Sauce:

3 cups milk

1 cup cream or half & half

6 tablespoons butter

1/3 cup flour

Fresh nutmeg

Salt & pepper

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Melt the butter in a large pot and whisk in the flour, cooking for 2-3 minutes.  While whisking slowly pour in the hot milk and cream. Continue whisking and cooking until sauce starts to boil and thickens.  Add the nutmeg, salt, pepper and cook for 1 minute more. Now whisk in the cheese and remove from the heat.   

Pour a nice layer of the Mariana sauce over the bottom of a 9X13” baking dish. Fill shells with the meat mixture and place them in the baking dish on top of the Mariana sauce.  Then drizzle the cheese sauce over the top of the shells.  Sprinkle a dusting of grated Parmesan and or Pecorino over the top, cover in non-stick foil and bake 350-degree oven for about 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes until bubbling and browned.  ** If you prepare this ahead of time and it is cold it will take longer to cook.  This freezes well!!