Do-Ahead Stuffed Shells

Ingredients

Tomato Sauce

• 1 (1/3 ounce) package dried porcini mushrooms
• 3/4 cup warm water
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 red onion, finely diced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/4 cup red wine
• 3 (16 ounce) cans Italian plum tomatoes, drained, coarsely chopped
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 1/3 cup packed fresh parsley leaves
• 2 tablespoons dried basil

Stuffed Shells

• 1 (12 ounce) package jumbo pasta shells
• 2 (15 ounce) containers whole milk ricotta cheese
• 4 ounces prosciutto, minced
• 3 medium shallots, minced
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 1 cup finely chopped fresh spinach
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh chives or scallions
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, plus additional
• parmesan cheese, to taste

Directions

1. 1

   If serving immediately, heat oven to 350 degrees.

2. 2

   Make Tomato Sauce: Soak mushrooms in the warm warm until softened, 30 minutes. Drain and reserve liquid. Finely chop mushrooms.

3. 3

   Heat olive oil in medium saucepan over medium-low heat; add onion and garlic and saute, stirring occasionally, until soft, 10 minutes. Add wine and cook until almost evaporated. Stir in tomatoes, mushrooms and the reserved soaking liquid, salt, and pepper and cook over medium heat 10 minutes. Chop parsley with basil; add to sauce and simmer 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings.

4. 4

   Meanwhile, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to the bite, 10-12 minutes. Drain and set aside.

5. 5

   Mix remaining ingredients except Parmesan in medium bowl, then stir in 1/4 cup Parmesan until blended.

6. 6

   Using soup spoon, stuff pasta shells with cheese mixture.

7. 7

   Place half the tomato sauce in casserole large enough to hold shells in single layer, or divide sauce among 2 or 3 smaller casseorles. Place shells over tomato sauce, then spoon remaining sauce over shells.

8. 8

   Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan over shells. Cover and bake until heated through, 12-15 minutes. Serve with additional Parmesan.

9. 9

   Or, let unbaked sauced shells cool to room temperature, cover tightly, and freeze up to 2 months. To serve, thaw covered in refrigerator, then bake as directed and serve with addtiional grated Parmesan cheese.