Comfort
Spinach Ricotta Conchiglie Bake
Conchiglie rigate is built for this kind of bake: the shells hold pockets of ricotta, spinach and tomato, then the top catches under mozzarella until it bubbles at the edges.
Ingredients
- 400 g Cibo di Italia Conchiglie Rigate
- 700 g passata
- 250 g ricotta
- 200 g spinach — wilted and squeezed dry
- 150 g mozzarella — torn
- 50 g parmesan — finely grated
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 pieces garlic cloves — finely chopped
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- to taste salt and black pepper
Method
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Step 1. Heat the oven to 200C fan. Cook the conchiglie for 8 minutes in salted boiling water, then drain.
8 min
-
Step 2. Warm the olive oil in a pan. Add the garlic and oregano for 30 seconds, then pour in the passata and simmer for 8 minutes.
8 min
-
Step 3. Mix the ricotta, spinach, half the parmesan, salt and pepper in a bowl.
2 min
-
Step 4. Spread a little tomato sauce in a baking dish. Fold the shells through the ricotta mixture and spoon them into the dish.
2 min
-
Step 5. Pour over the remaining tomato sauce, then top with mozzarella and the rest of the parmesan.
1 min
-
Step 6. Bake for 20 minutes until bubbling and golden in patches.
20 min
-
Step 7. Rest for 5 minutes before serving so the shells settle and hold their filling.
5 min
Goes well with
Sparkling apple with lemon slices.
Rocket, cucumber and shaved parmesan salad.
Baked apples with cinnamon yoghurt.
Questions cooks ask
Can I assemble this conchiglie bake ahead?
Yes. Assemble it up to one day ahead, cover and chill, then add 5 minutes to the baking time.
Should I fully cook the shells before baking?
No. Cook the conchiglie until just under al dente so the shells finish in the tomato sauce without turning soft.
Why use conchiglie rigate for a ricotta bake?
The shell shape holds ricotta and spinach in small pockets, while the ridged surface grips tomato sauce.
Nutrition
Scaled to your servings
- 701kcalCalories35%
- 82.2gCarbohydrate32%
- 36gProtein72%
- 25.6gFat37%
The pasta we used
Cibo di Italia Conchiglie Rigate
500g · Cooks in 10–12 minutes · Serves ~5
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