Shells with Crispy Pancetta and Spinach
I love Giada’s recipes because she manages to put pancetta in almost every dish and it’s absolutely delightful. I especially enjoyed this pancetta dish because it paired perfectly with the rich-tasting asiago cheese, which was then topped with an amazing creamy sauce. I will definitely be making this again and again!
Shells with Crispy Pancetta and Spinach (adapted from Giada De Laurentiis):
Yields 2 servings
- 1/2 package jumbo shells pasta (about 16 shells)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 pound thick-cut pancetta, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
- 1 1/2 cups fresh spinach, coarsely chopped
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta
- 1/2 cup grated asiago cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Pinch of nutmeg
For the sauce:
- 1/2 tablespoon butter
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 cup cream
- 1 cup grated asiago cheese, plus 2 tablespoons
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the past and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring stirring occasionally, about 8-10 minutes. Drain pasta.
Warm olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook until lightly golden, about 5 minutes.
Remove pancetta from pan with a slotted spoon and transfer to a large bowl.
Add the spinach, ricotta cheese, asiago cheese, pepper, and nutmeg.
Stir to combine.
Stuff each shell with about 2 tablespoons of spinach mixture.
Place stuffed shells in a large, buttered baking dish.
For the sauce, melt butter in a medium saucepan. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add cream and bring to a simmer.
Turn heat to very low and add 1 cup asiago cheese, parsley, and pepper, to taste.
Stir until cheese is dissolved.
Pour sauce over the shells.
Top with remaining 2 tablespoons asiago cheese and freshly ground black pepper, to taste.
Bake until golden on top, about 25 minutes.
Remove from oven and serve immediately.
Just brought them out of the oven. They look delicious and I had a smidgen of the bubbling sauce. Wonderful!