Zesty Spicy Unstuffed Shells with Whipped Ricotta Recipe

Pasta lovers adore these spicy unstuffed shells with whipped ricotta that promise a delightful culinary adventure.

Shells packed with robust flavors dance across your plate with surprising lightness.

Creamy ricotta blends seamlessly into each tender morsel, creating a mouthwatering experience.

Rich tomato sauce weaves through the pasta, delivering a kick of heat that tingles your palate.

Comfort meets excitement in this simple yet sophisticated dish that breaks traditional recipe boundaries.

Mediterranean ingredients mingle effortlessly, crafting a meal perfect for casual dinners or weekend gatherings.

You’ll savor every bite of this uncomplicated yet impressive recipe that transforms ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Flavor Twists For Spicy Unstuffed Shells

• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Replace ground chicken sausage with crumbled firm tofu or plant-based sausage, maintaining the same spicy flavor profile and texture.
• Gluten-Free Version: Use gluten-free pasta shells made from rice, corn, or chickpea flour to accommodate dietary restrictions while keeping the original recipe's essence.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute pasta shells with zucchini noodles or roasted cauliflower florets, reducing carbohydrate content and creating a lighter dish.
• Dairy-Free Option: Swap whipped ricotta with cashew cream or silken tofu blended until smooth, providing a creamy base for those avoiding dairy products.

Pairing Recommendations For Ricotta Shells

• Rustic Family Feast: Gather loved ones around the table for a hearty, comforting meal that feels like a warm hug. Perfect for weekend dinners or casual gatherings with friends.
• Elevated Weeknight Dinner: Transform this dish into a restaurant-quality experience by plating it carefully and adding a sprinkle of fresh parmesan or toasted pine nuts for extra texture.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the spicy and herbal notes with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or a light red such as Chianti. The acidity will balance the rich sauce beautifully.
• Leftover Magic: Store remaining shells in an airtight container for a quick lunch the next day. The flavors will develop even more overnight, making the dish even more delicious.

Proper Storage For Ricotta Shells

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cool the dish completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Transfer cooled pasta to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air and freeze for up to 2 months. Avoid freezing the ricotta separately.
• Place a single serving in a microwave-safe dish. Add a splash of water or reserved pasta water to prevent drying. Cover and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warmed.

FAQs

• What ingredients make this dish spicy?

The ground chicken sausage and crushed red pepper flakes provide the heat, creating a balanced and flavorful spiciness that’s not overwhelming.

• Can I substitute the ground chicken sausage?

Yes, you can use ground turkey sausage or regular ground chicken as an alternative. Each will slightly change the flavor profile but maintain the dish’s overall structure.

• Is this recipe considered healthy?

The dish offers a good balance of protein from chicken sausage, greens for nutrients, and ricotta for calcium. It’s a relatively nutritious meal with lean protein and vegetables.

• How difficult is this recipe for home cooks?

This recipe is intermediate level. It requires multiple steps like cooking sausage, preparing sauce, and making a lemon basil mixture, but the techniques are straightforward and manageable for someone with basic cooking skills.

Why Spicy Unstuffed Shells With Ricotta Impress

• Boost Flavor Complexity: Packed with bold spices like crushed red pepper flakes, oregano, and thyme, this recipe delivers a robust taste profile that excites the palate.
• Quick Weeknight Wonder: Designed for busy home cooks, this one-pot meal comes together rapidly with minimal cleanup, making dinner preparation a breeze.
• Customizable Comfort: Easily adaptable by swapping ground chicken sausage for other proteins or adjusting spice levels, this dish welcomes personal culinary creativity.
• Nutrient-Rich Delight: Incorporates fresh greens and a zesty lemon basil drizzle, adding layers of nutrition and bright, fresh flavors to a hearty pasta meal.

Ingredients For Spicy Unstuffed Ricotta Shells

• Pasta Shells: Large shells perfect for holding the rich and spicy sauce.

• Ground Chicken Sausage: Provides a flavorful and lean protein for the dish.

• Crushed Tomatoes, Tomato Paste: Create a robust and tangy sauce base for the pasta.

• Shallots, Garlic: Add depth and savory notes to the sauce.
• Oregano, Thyme, Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Provide warmth, earthiness, and a spicy kick.
• Fresh Greens: Add freshness and nutritional value to the dish.

• Whipped Ricotta: Offers a creamy and smooth base for serving the pasta.

• Fresh Basil, Lemon Zest, Lemon Juice: Brighten the dish with fresh, zesty flavors.

• Olive Oil, Salt, Pepper: Enhance flavors and provide essential cooking fat.

How To Make Spicy Unstuffed Ricotta Shells

Step 1: Boil Pasta Perfectly

Cook pasta shells in salted water until they reach al dente texture.

Carefully set aside 1½ cups of pasta water before draining the shells.

Step 2: Brown Chicken Sausage

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Cook ground chicken sausage until evenly browned.

• Shallots
• Garlic
• Oregano
• Thyme
• Crushed red pepper flakes

Sauté until shallots become golden and caramelized.

Step 3: Create Vibrant Sauce

Stir in tomato paste and cook briefly.

• Crushed tomatoes
• Reserved pasta water

Season with salt and pepper.

Simmer until sauce thickens slightly.

Add greens and cook until wilted.

Adjust seasonings to taste.

Step 4: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Toss pasta shells with sauce and chopped basil.

Add extra pasta water if sauce needs thinning.

Step 5: Craft Lemon Basil Drizzle

• Olive oil
• Remaining basil
• Lemon zest
• Lemon juice
• Pinch of salt

Step 6: Serve with Flair

Spread whipped ricotta in serving bowls.

Top with saucy pasta shells.

Finish with a generous drizzle of lemon basil mixture.

Dig in and enjoy the flavor explosion!

Tips To Perfect Spicy Ricotta Shells

• Reserve the starchy pasta water to help thicken and bind the sauce, creating a silky and cohesive dish.
• Replace ground chicken sausage with turkey, beef, or plant-based alternatives for different flavor profiles and dietary needs.
• Experiment with various leafy greens like spinach, kale, or Swiss chard to add extra nutrition and personalize the recipe.
• Fresh herbs like basil and oregano can elevate the flavor, so don't be afraid to add extra for a brighter, more vibrant taste.
• Whip the ricotta with a fork or blender to create a smoother, lighter base that spreads beautifully in the serving bowl.

Spicy Unstuffed Shells with Whipped Ricotta Recipe

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4.5 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Pasta paradise awaits with spicy unstuffed shells, where zesty Italian-inspired flavors dance across your plate. Rich whipped ricotta and bold seasonings create a comforting meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta and Protein:

• 1 pound jumbo pasta shells
• 1/2 pound ground spicy Italian chicken sausage

Vegetables and Herbs:

• 3 shallots (thinly sliced)
• 3 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
• 2 cups chopped greens (such as kale, spinach, or chard)
• 1 cup fresh basil (roughly chopped)
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano (or 1 tablespoon fresh oregano)
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme)

Sauce and Seasonings:

• 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 6 ounces tomato paste
• 14 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
• Salt and black pepper (to taste)
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon (about 3 tablespoons juice)
• 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese (whipped)

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Instructions

1. Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Cook pasta shells until tender, following package guidelines. Carefully extract 1 ½ cups pasta water before draining. Set cooked shells aside.
2. Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature. Introduce ground chicken sausage, browning thoroughly for 5-8 minutes while continuously stirring. Reduce heat and incorporate shallots, garlic, herbs, and red pepper flakes. Sauté until shallots develop a golden caramelized edge, approximately 5 minutes.
3. Integrate tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Pour in crushed tomatoes and reserved pasta water. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer sauce for 10-15 minutes until it thickens slightly. Fold in greens and cook until they wilt completely. Adjust seasoning to taste.
4. Combine pasta shells with sauce, mixing in chopped basil to ensure even coating. Add extra pasta water if sauce requires thinning.
5. Create a vibrant lemon basil drizzle by blending olive oil, remaining basil, lemon zest, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl.
6. Layer whipped ricotta as a creamy base in serving bowls. Generously spoon sauced pasta over ricotta. Finish by drizzling lemon basil mixture on top. Serve immediately.

Notes

• Customize Heat Levels by adjusting the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to match personal spice tolerance, from mild to fiery hot.
• Swap Proteins easily by substituting ground chicken sausage with ground turkey, beef, or plant-based crumbles for dietary preferences or restrictions.
• Boost Nutrition by adding extra greens like spinach, kale, or arugula to increase vegetable content and create a more balanced meal.
• Create Creamy Texture variation by blending ricotta with roasted garlic, herbs, or sun-dried tomatoes for enhanced flavor complexity and richness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 370 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 420 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg