Spinach Stuffed Shells With a Mushroom Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 (12 ounce) package jumbo pasta shells, cooked al dente
• 5 dried shiitake mushrooms
• 1 cup hot water
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 6 ounces of pre washed baby spinach
• 1/3 cup white wine
• 1/8 cup chopped fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 4 cups crushed tomatoes or your favorite tomato sauce
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup grated pecorino romano cheese, plus extra for garnish
• 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
• 1 egg
• 1/2 nutmeg, grated

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. 2

   Spray a 9x13 inch pan with nonstick spray.

3. 3

   Soak mushrooms in hot water.

4. 4

   In a large saute pan, pour oil saute onions and garlic 1 minute add spinach cook till wilted.

5. 5

   Remove spinach from pan leaving some garlic and onions in pan.

6. 6

   Chop the soaked mushrooms (stems discarded) and add to pan with the remaining onions and garlic.

7. 7

   Add the mushroom soaking water(strained from any grit), white wine and herbs.

8. 8

   Season with salt and pepper.

9. 9

   Cook till liquid is all absorbed.

10. 10

    Add crushed tomatoes.

11. 11

    Simmer while preparing shells.

12. 12

    Squeeze liquid from cooled spinach and place juice into sauce and spinach into a bowl with cheeses, egg, nutmeg.

13. 13

    Mix to blend.

14. 14

    Adding salt and pepper to taste.

15. 15

    Spoon evenly into shells and place into pan.

16. 16

    Pour sauce over shells.

17. 17

    Reserving some sauce for serving at the table.

18. 18

    Bake covered for 30 minutes.

19. 19

    Garnish with grated cheese.

20. 20

    Mangia!