Recipes

Lumaconi with Almond Ricotta and Spinach

elliebleu

Lumaconi with Almond Ricotta and Spinach

Lumaconi pasta comes from a beautiful town overlooking the Amalfi Coast. Legend has it that a young pasta maker fell in love with a fisherman’s daughter. To impress her family, and win her hand in marriage, he invented a new pasta inspired by seashells called “Lumaca di mere.” Traditionally, the pasta is stuffed with ricotta and baked like lasagna. It’s one of my favorite recipes, and I hope it becomes yours too.

Lumaconi with Almond Ricotta and Spinach

Yield: 8 servings         Prep Time: 20 minutes         Bake Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:
10.5 oz Lumaconi pasta
Extra virgin olive oil
30 oz. almond ricotta cheese (I used Kite Hill)
Zest of 1 small lemon
Sea salt and pepper to taste
3 tbsp. fresh oregano, chopped
16 oz. frozen chopped spinach, defrosted
Marinara Sauce
Mozzarella of choice (I used Follow Your Heart Vegan Gourmet)

Directions:

1. In a large pot, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil. Add sea salt to taste (optional). Add pasta into the water and return to a boil. Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 12 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water.

2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

3. Squeeze out the extra moisture from the spinach and place in a mixing bowl. Add the ricotta, fresh oregano, lemon zest, sea salt, and pepper to taste. Stir the cheese mixture until evenly combined, and stuff the pasta shells.

4. Drizzle about 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large baking dish. Add 1/2 of the marinara sauce. Line the stuffed shells in the pan. Add the remaining marinara sauce on top of the shells. Grate desired amount of mozzarella on top of the shells.

5. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes, covered. Remove the tin foil, and broil 3-5 minutes until the cheese on top is melted through.

6. Let the lumaconi set for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Published by elliebleu

I'm the writer, recipe developer, creative director and food photographer for elliebleu.com.

35 thoughts on “Lumaconi with Almond Ricotta and Spinach”

  5. I love this recipe, Ellie and the story behind it. It just so happens that the Amalfi Coast is my favourite place in the world so I shall have to cook this delicious pasta, close my eyes and imagine I’m back there.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. It’s one of my favorite places too. Don’t you just love how a good book or wonderful food can transport you back to your travels? It’s my motivation to cook 🙂

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    1. So happy you liked it Lynne. It took a while for me to find the traditional lumaconi pasta, but it was worth it. It’s extra thick compared to the regular shells you find at the grocery store. It makes the pasta easier to stuff. Hope you have a nice day!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  9. I didn’t know the story behind the big pasta shells! Well, thanks you! I made this dish before with real low-fat fresh sheep’s ricotta & spinach from my garden & it was super delicious so I know that your recipe is also a winner! Yummm!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Hi Starr. I’ve only found Kite Hill at Whole Foods. I saw on pintrest that you can make your own almond ricotta. I’ve been trying to perfect my recipe for it. Once I do…I’ll post it.

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      Reply

  17. This looks lovely! I’ve seen these huge pasta shells in the shop, but I wasn’t quite sure what to do with them! I love the sound of the almond ricotta as well. I’ve got to get my hands on some of that!

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