Friday's Food For Thought - 4-Cheese Stuffed Shells

4-Cheese Stuffed shells

Photo by Sivodd

Prep time: 20 minutes

Baking time: 45 to 50 minutes

Servings: 4
 

Ingredients:

• 12 jumbo pasta shells
• 1 (15-ounce) container ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded provolone cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon minced dried garlic
• 1 1/2 cups chunky tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
• Salt and black pepper

Preparation:

• Cook pasta shells for 10 to 12 minutes, drain. Rinse with cool water, drain again. (Set aside) Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Combine ricotta, provolone, grated Parmesan, parsley, egg, basil and garlic in medium bowl. Stir until well mixed. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
• Spread 1/2 cup tomato sauce evenly on bottom of 8-inch square baking pan. Place shells in baking pan and fill with ricotta mixture. Spread remaining 1 cup tomato sauce over shells. Cover tightly with aluminum foil.
• Bake, covered for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until sauce becomes bubbly. (about 15 to 20 minutes)
• Remove from oven and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Place back in oven until cheese is melted. (1 to 2 minutes)

With meat: In large skillet, brown hamburger while shells are boiling, add onions, garlic, salt and pepper. Drain and set aside.  (Put meat in shells first, spread extra in sauce around baking pan)

Enjoy! Have a Great Weekend!

Living with GBS...

Last year I was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a disorder in which the body's immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system. I was under the weather for sometime, when suddenly my blood pressure went through the roof, I could no longer walk and started to black out. After a month and a half of treatments (IVIG) and physical therapy, I was released from the hospital and barely able to get around with a walker.

I began out patient therapy and was walking with a cane in a month. My doctors and therapists suggested I take up golf as part of my recovery. I fell in love with it and started playing 4 times a week. My husband and I became regulars at TopGolf. The motion involved in a golf swing strengthens the core and leg muscles. After a few months, I was walking without a cane.

It's been a year and I'm getting stronger everyday. Unfortunately I've also been diagnosed with CIDP, but that's not going to hold me back. I still have my off days, but I keep pushing along. Since the numbness in my feet prevents me from driving, I've taken up several crafts, taking online classes and running a few online communities - all things I can do from home.

Thanks for reading my blog, and in the words of Evil Knievel "A man may fall many times in life, but is only a failure when he refuses to get up."