MEGA MEAT-STUFFED SHELLS

Steps:

• Place the frozen spinach on a plate and defrost in the microwave on HIGH for 6 minutes.
• Wring the spinach dry in a clean towel.
• While the spinach is in the microwave, preheat the oven to 425° and, in a large covered pot, bring the water to a boil for the shells.
• Salt the boiling water and cook the shells for 6-7 minutes; they should still be firm at the center; drain.
• Drizzle them with oil and set aside in a shallow baking dish.
• While the pasta is working, brown the meat over medium to med-high heat in 1 tablespoon oil.
• Add the chopped garlic and onions to the meat; season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg; and cook the mixture for 5 minutes more.
• Transfer the meat to a bowl; add the spinach and mix them together.
• Add the egg, bread crumbs, and half the cheese and combine.
• Fill the shells with the meat mixture and sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top, then bake for 11-12 minutes to set the filling in the shells and crisp the pasta at the edges.
• While the shells bake, heat the remaining tablespoon oil in a small pot over low heat with the halved garlic clove and cook for 3-4 minutes.
• Remove the garlic, add the red pepper flakes, and cook for a minute more, then stir in the tomato sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Stir in the basil.
• Pour 1/2 cup of sauce on each dinner plate and top it with 4 shells.