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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Combine pasta shells with sauce, mixing in chopped basil to ensure even coating. Add extra pasta water if sauce requires thinning.
- 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.
- 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