Sure, here’s the recipe for “Shells Baked with Pesto-Meat Sauce” from lovewithrecipes.com:
Shells Baked with Pesto-Meat Sauce Recipe
Description: Dive into this delightful dish featuring pasta shells generously coated in a savory pesto-meat sauce, perfect for sharing with loved ones.
Recipe Category: Penne
Keywords: Pasta Shells, < 30 Mins, Oven, Beginner Cook, Easy
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 3/4 pound pasta shells
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) chopped tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons pesto sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions:
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Preheat Oven: Heat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
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Prepare Baking Dish: Oil a 13×9 baking dish, ensuring the surface is well-coated to prevent sticking.
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Cook Onion: In a pan over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Add chopped onion and cook until it starts to soften, releasing its aroma and flavors.
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Cook Ground Beef: Add ground beef to the pan and cook until it is no longer pink, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain off any excess fat.
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Add Tomatoes: Stir in the chopped tomatoes and salt, bringing the mixture to a simmer. Allow it to cook for about 10 minutes, until most of the liquid from the tomatoes evaporates, intensifying the flavors.
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Incorporate Pesto: Remove the pan from heat and stir in the pesto sauce, ensuring it’s evenly distributed throughout the sauce.
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Cook Pasta: Meanwhile, while the sauce is simmering, cook the pasta shells in boiling salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the cooked pasta well.
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Combine Pasta and Sauce: Once both the pasta and sauce are ready, toss the drained pasta with the prepared sauce until all the shells are evenly coated.
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Layer in Baking Dish: Transfer half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Top it with half of the shredded mozzarella cheese and 2 tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese.
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Repeat Layers: Layer the remaining pasta on top of the cheese layer, then sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese over the pasta.
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Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake until the dish is bubbling and the cheese is melted and golden brown, creating a deliciously crispy topping.
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Serve: Once baked to perfection, remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
This delightful recipe promises to tantalize your taste buds with its rich flavors and comforting textures, making it an ideal choice for a quick and satisfying meal. Enjoy the culinary journey of creating and savoring these shells baked with pesto-meat sauce with your loved ones! 🍝🧀🍅
