Zesty Turkey and Artichoke Stuffed Pasta Shells with Spicy Arrabbiata Sauce
This mouthwatering dish brings together tender jumbo pasta shells filled with a flavorful mixture of ground turkey, creamy ricotta, and savory artichokes, all enveloped in a spicy homemade Arrabbiata sauce. Inspired by a recipe from renowned chef Giada De Laurentiis, this one-dish meal not only makes for a satisfying family dinner but also freezes beautifully for those busy weeknights. The combination of fresh herbs, velvety cheeses, and the kick of crushed red pepper in the Arrabbiata sauce will have everyone coming back for seconds. Perfect for gatherings or just a comforting evening at home!
N/A
Servings
500
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
jumbo pasta shells
12 ounces (recommend Barilla brand)
extra virgin olive oil
5 tablespoons (divided)
yellow onion
1/2 large (chopped (about 1 cup))
garlic cloves
5 cloves (chopped and minced)
ground turkey
1 lb
kosher salt
1 teaspoon (divided)
fresh ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (divided)
frozen artichokes
10 ounces (thawed and coarsely chopped)
ricotta cheese
15 ounces
Parmesan cheese
3/4 cup (grated)
eggs
2 (lightly beaten)
fresh basil
1/4 cup (chopped)
fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 tablespoons (chopped)
marinara sauce
5 cups (use Arrabbiata Sauce recipe to follow)
mozzarella cheese
1 1/2 cups (grated (about 5 ounces))
sliced pancetta
6 ounces (coarsely chopped)
crushed red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons
Instructions
1
Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a vigorous boil. Carefully add the jumbo pasta shells and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes, or until they are slightly tender yet firm to the bite. Drain and set aside to cool.
3
In a large heavy skillet, heat 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing until the onions have softened and are lightly browned, approximately 3 minutes.
4
Stir in the ground turkey along with 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the turkey is golden and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
5
Incorporate the chopped artichokes into the turkey mixture, stirring until evenly combined. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly.
6
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled turkey mixture with ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, beaten eggs, fresh basil, chopped parsley, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Stir until fully blended.
7
Spread 1 cup of the Arrabbiata sauce at the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
8
Stuff each shell with approximately 2 tablespoons of the turkey mixture and place the stuffed shells seam-side up into the baking dish until all shells are filled and the dish is packed.
9
Drizzle the remaining Arrabbiata sauce over the top of the stuffed shells and sprinkle with grated mozzarella cheese.
10
If desired, cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and freeze for later use, or bake immediately in the preheated oven.
11
Bake for 60 minutes if frozen, or about 20 minutes if thawed, until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
12
While the pasta shells are baking, prepare the Arrabbiata sauce by heating 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add pancetta and sauté until it turns golden brown, around 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
13
Pour in the marinara sauce along with crushed red pepper flakes and allow the sauce to simmer for a few minutes before removing from heat.
Nutrition Information
25g
Fat
37g
Carbs
32.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this recipe?
The recipe is called Zesty Turkey and Artichoke Stuffed Pasta Shells with Spicy Arrabbiata Sauce.
What are the main protein sources in this dish?
The dish features ground turkey and pancetta as the primary protein sources.
How many calories are in one serving of this pasta dish?
There are 500 calories per serving.
What type of pasta shells should be used?
The recipe calls for 12 ounces of jumbo pasta shells, specifically recommending the Barilla brand.
How long should I boil the pasta shells?
Cook the shells for about 4 to 5 minutes, or until they are slightly tender yet firm to the bite.
What is the recommended oven temperature for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C).
Is this recipe suitable for freezing?
Yes, it is freezer-friendly and can be covered tightly with plastic wrap and frozen for later use.
How long do I bake the shells if they are frozen?
If baking from frozen, the dish needs to cook for 60 minutes.
How long do I bake the shells if they are thawed?
If the shells are thawed, they only need to bake for about 20 minutes until the cheese is bubbly.
What ingredients make up the Arrabbiata sauce?
The sauce is made from olive oil, pancetta, minced garlic, marinara sauce, and crushed red pepper flakes.
What is the fat content of this meal?
Each serving contains 25g of fat.
What cheeses are used in the turkey filling mixture?
The filling contains ricotta cheese and 3/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
How many carbohydrates are in this recipe?
This dish contains 37g of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the protein content per serving?
There are 32.5g of protein per serving.
How should the artichokes be prepared?
You should use 10 ounces of frozen artichokes that have been thawed and coarsely chopped.
How many garlic cloves are required?
The recipe requires 5 garlic cloves, chopped and minced for different parts of the dish.
What fresh herbs are needed for the filling?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of chopped fresh basil and 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley.
How much olive oil is used in total?
A total of 5 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil is used, divided between the stuffing and the sauce.
How much Arrabbiata sauce should be placed at the bottom of the dish?
Spread 1 cup of the sauce at the bottom of the baking dish to prevent the pasta from sticking.
How many eggs are used in the stuffing?
The filling uses 2 lightly beaten eggs to help bind the mixture.
Is there a specific amount of pancetta suggested?
Yes, 6 ounces of sliced pancetta, coarsely chopped, is used to flavor the sauce.
How much crushed red pepper flakes are in the sauce?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of crushed red pepper flakes to provide the 'spicy' kick in the Arrabbiata sauce.
How much filling goes into each pasta shell?
Each jumbo shell should be stuffed with approximately 2 tablespoons of the turkey and cheese mixture.
What size baking dish is recommended?
The shells should be arranged in a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Who inspired this recipe?
The dish is inspired by a recipe from the renowned chef Giada De Laurentiis.
What kind of cheese is sprinkled on top of the shells before baking?
The shells are topped with 1 1/2 cups of grated mozzarella cheese.
How many cups of marinara sauce are used for the Arrabbiata recipe?
The recipe uses 5 cups of marinara sauce to create the homemade Arrabbiata sauce.
What should the onion consistency be?
The yellow onion should be chopped into about 1 cup and sautéed until softened and lightly browned.
Do I need to cook the ground turkey before stuffing the shells?
Yes, the turkey should be sautéed with onions and garlic until golden and fully cooked before mixing with the cheeses.
How should the shells be placed in the baking dish?
The stuffed shells should be placed seam-side up in the baking dish.