Coffee, Caramel & Cream

My bridal shower was on November 4th, 2007.

The only reason I remember that date is because my bridesmaids gave all attendees a recipe card (with the date) and asked each person to gift me with one of their favorite recipes. I now keep all those precious cards in my recipe box. Over the years I have LOVED trying them all out, especially when I feel I'm in a cooking rut.

One of my all time favorites is my husband's grandma's recipe for Italian Stuffed Shells. Grandma may not be Italian in nationality, but boy can she cook a mean dish of pasta.

We always joke that everything Grandma cooks turns to gold, because seriously EVERYTHING she makes is amazing. She makes a ham and cheese sandwich gourmet. Her nut roll will change your life.

So when I saw that she had gifted me with her recipe for Italian Stuffed Shells (a dish that I've swooned over the entire time I've known Jared)... I was over the moon excited to make it.

Ingredients:  (serves 6-8)

• 1lb ground beef or turkey
• 1 cup chopped onions
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• 2 cups of hot water
• 1 (12oz) can of tomato paste
• 1 tbsp. beef bouillon granules
• 1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
• 1 (16) oz carton of cottage cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese - divided
• 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg beaten
• 1 box jumbo pasta shells cooked and drained

Directions:

In a large skillet brown beef , onion, and garlic. Drain extra liquid.

                      

Stir in water, tomato paste, bouillon and oregano

Simmer, uncovered for 30 minutes  (Your house will smell heavenly! Jared came home from work while this was simmering and said he smelled it outside!)

                                      

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl combine cottage cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan cheese and egg. Mix well

                                    
Stuff the shells with cheese mixture. Nothing will make you feel more like an Italian grandma than stuffing pasta shells  :-)


Arrange the shells in a greased 9x13 baking dish

Pour meat sauce over the shells


Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes

Uncover, sprinkle with remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese

Bake 5 minutes or until cheese is melted

                                   
What a beautiful sight. This is such a hearty dish, but you always will want seconds. Enjoy with a nice glass of red wine. Or two or three ... ya know how that goes  :-)

Mangia!