Gorgonzola and Walnut Stuffed Shells with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Prep: 25 mins
  • Cook: 55 mins

Ingredients

Filling
5ounces gorgonzola cheese
5ounces ricotta cheese
1-- egg yolk
3/4cup (3 ounces) finely chopped, toasted California walnuts
Sauce
1cup ( one 7 ¼ ounce jar, or half a 15 ounce jar) roasted red peppers, drained
3tablespoons butter
3tablespoons all-purpose flour
2cloves garlic, minced
1-3/4cup milk (2 percent), heated
1/4cup dry white wine
1/2cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2teaspoon coarse salt
1/4teaspoon pepper
20-22-- large dried pasta shells (about 6 ounces), about 2 inches long
1/4cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. To make the filling, in a food processor fitted with the metal blade, combine the gorgonzola cheese, ricotta cheese and egg yolk and blend until smooth.  Add the walnuts and process in on/off spurts just until blended.  Scrape into a large bowl.  Without a food processor, beat the ingredients together in a large bowl using a hand-held electric mixer, or a big spoon and a lot of elbow grease.  Set the filling aside. 
  2. To make the sauce, puree the peppers in a food processor until smooth.  Set aside. In a medium-sized saucepan over moderate heat, melt the butter.  Add the flour and garlic and cook, whisking constantly, for about 1 minute.  Add the milk and whisk until smooth.  Bring to a boil, whisking frequently, then blend in the wine and red pepper puree.  Reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.  Stir in the cheese, then season with salt and pepper to taste.  Set aside.
  3. Drop the pasta shells into a large pot of boiling, salted water and cook until the shells are barely tender, and remain firm enough, and with enough resistance, to hold their shape, about 9 to 10 minutes (cooking will probably take less time than the package directions suggest.)  Drain the shells thoroughly in a colander, rinse them with cold water, then place them, open side down, on paper towels to drain until you fill them.
  4. Preheat the oven to 350F.  Get out a baking dish just large enough to hold the stuffed shells in one layer, such as a 9- x 12-inch oval, an 11- x 7-inch rectangular, or a 9-inch square baking pan. 
  5. Coat the baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.  Spread about half the red pepper sauce over the bottom of the baking dish.  Spoon a generous tablespoon of the filling into each pasta shell and place, filled side up, in the baking dish.  Spoon the remaining sauce over the filled shells and sprinkle with the cheese.  Cover with foil and bake about 25 minutes.  Uncover and bake 5 to10 minutes more, until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is melted.  Let stand 5 minutes before serving. 

O’Brien’s Market recipe provided courtesy of Chef Hank Winkle

Nutritional Info *per serving

  • Calories 750
  • Glycemic Load 0
  • Fat 44g
  • Saturated Fat 20g
  • Polyunsaturated Fat 9g
  • Monounsaturated Fat 9g
  • Cholesterol 135mg
  • Sodium 1320mg
  • Potassium 430mg
  • Carbohydrate 53g
  • Fiber 6g
  • Sugars 9g
  • Protein 34g
  • Trans Fat 0g
  • Vitamin A 35%
  • Vitamin C 30%
  • Calcium 60%
  • Iron 20%