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+ servings
Serine Milo

Creative Pasta Dishes

Celebrate Valentine's Day with these creative pasta dishes featuring stuffed shells, lemon garlic shrimp pasta, and creamy avocado pasta that bring vibrant flavors and comforting textures to your dinner table.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
Calories: 500

Ingredients
  

Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells
  • 20 pieces large pasta shells
  • 2 cups ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped or frozen, thawed, and drained
  • 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 jar marinara sauce your favorite!
  • 1 piece egg optional, for binding
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • Fresh basil for garnish optional
Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta
  • 8 oz linguine or spaghetti
  • 1 lb raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 piece lemon zested and juiced
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup white wine or vegetable broth
  • to taste red pepper flakes
  • Fresh parsley, chopped
  • to taste salt and pepper
Creamy Avocado Pasta
  • 12 oz spaghetti or your pasta of choice
  • 2 pieces ripe avocados
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • Cherry tomatoes for garnish optional

Method
 

Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the pasta shells according to the package instructions until they’re al dente. Drain and let them cool on a kitchen towel to prevent sticking.
  2. In a bowl, mix ricotta, chopped spinach, half of the mozzarella, and Parmesan. If you’re using an egg, blend it in now along with salt and pepper.
  3. Once the shells are cool, carefully stuff each one with the creamy filling.
  4. Spread a layer of marinara sauce in a baking dish and arrange the stuffed shells on top.
  5. Pour more sauce over the shells and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
  6. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until bubbly and golden.
Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta
  1. Boil water in a large pot and cook the linguine until it’s al dente; reserve a cup of pasta water, then drain.
  2. While that’s cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about a minute.
  3. Toss in the shrimp and cook until pink, around 2-3 minutes per side.
  4. Add lemon juice, zest, and white wine, stirring to combine.
  5. If you like a bit of heat, sprinkle in red pepper flakes. Mix the cooked pasta into the skillet, adding reserved pasta water as needed to create a smooth sauce.
  6. Season with salt, pepper, and fresh parsley just before serving.
Creamy Avocado Pasta
  1. Cook your choice of pasta according to the package directions.
  2. Blend the avocados, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, basil, salt, and pepper in a food processor until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  3. Once the pasta is cooked and drained, mix it with the avocado sauce until every strand is coated beautifully. If it feels too thick, don’t hesitate to add a splash of pasta water.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 500kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 20gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 500mgFiber: 5gSugar: 4g

Notes

Feel free to experiment with fillings and serve with recommended pairings. Use fresh herbs for enhanced flavor.

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