Ricotta & Spinach Pasta Seashells

This low fat Ricotta and Spinach Seashells Pasta recipe is surprisingly tasty.

The Seashells Pasta gives this dish a wonderful texture, and the shells act like individual parcels of flavour.

Ingredients

• 400g Large Sea Shell Pasta, available in delicatessens, official name Conchiglie
• 250g Spinach, frozen, defrosted
• 500g Ricotta
• 1 Egg
• 4 cloves garlic
• 4 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 100g (1 Cup) Reduced Fat Sharp Tasty Cheese
• 1 tablespoon herbs, fresh basil torn if you have or any dried herbs
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 6 Cups Passata (1.5 bottles)
• 2 cups water
• Pepper

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180C (350F).
2. In a large bowl mix in ricotta, spinach, egg, 2 cloves garlic, nutmeg, parmesan.  Mix so fully incorporated.
3. In a large lasagne baking dish we used oblong (34cmx22cm / 13inx8in) place 3 cups of the passata onto the base.  Mix in 2 clove crushed garlic, sprinkle 1 teaspoon herbs, pepper and mix around with spoon. 
4. Now using a teaspoon place some of the ricotta mixture into each pasta shell, and place in the baking dish alongside each other, squeeze them in as they will cook and soften in the oven.  Once all the shells have been placed into the dish, drizzle remaining passata over the shells.
5. Grab a jug and fill with 2 cups of water, drizzle inside around the edge of the dish, going around gently pour the water as this will help cook the dry pasta.
6. Now sprinkle on top the grated cheese, additional herbs if you like and bake for 1 hour in oven.
7. Dish up 4 shells per serve, with a side salad.