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Comfort Food


Kosher salt
16 jumbo pasta shells
2 (100 grams/3.5 ounces each) chorizo sausages, removed from casing
1 tablespoon (14 grams) butter
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
Freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons dry Italian seasoning
1/4 cup (60 milliliters) white wine
1 can (398 milliliters/13.45 ounces) pumpkin purée, divided
1 1/4 cups (310 milliliters) whole milk
1 cup (250 grams) ricotta cheese
1 egg
1/2 cup basil pesto, store-bought (or recipe below), divided
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
1 cup grated fontina or smoked mozzarella
1 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
2 large handfuls (about 2 cups) leafy greens, such as chard, spinach or kale, roughly chopped
Fresh basil and oregano, for serving, optional

Basil Pesto ( Click Here)

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat and cook the shells to al dente according to the package directions. Drain and cool on a baking sheet.

Heat a large cast-iron skillet or oven-safe pan over medium heat. Add the sausage meat and cook, stirring occasionally to break up the meat, until golden brown and cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate, leaving the fat in the pan.

Add the butter and garlic to the pan. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the Italian seasoning, wine and 1 cup of pumpkin purée. Slowly stir in the milk. Add the chorizo with any juices and season with salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until slightly thickened.

Meanwhile, make the filling. Mix the remaining pumpkin purée with the ricotta, egg and 1/4 cup of pesto, pepper flakes and nutmeg. Season with salt and pepper.

In a small bowl, toss together the grated cheeses; add half to the pumpkin ricotta mixture. Fill each shell with a heaping tablespoon of the filling.

Stir the greens through the sauce and carefully nestle in the stuffed shells. Scatter over the remaining cheese and transfer the pan to the oven. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown. Spoon the remaining pesto overtop and allow the shells to cool slightly before serving scattered with fresh oregano and basil, if using.

Unrated