Conchigliette al forno (Italian Baked Shells)

The little church that our family attends is holding its annual major fundraiser, once again in a few weeks.  You are probably wondering why we are writing about it here on Platter Talk.  Let me explain.  Our pastor and friend Paola is a native daughter of Italia.  You might recall that we mentioned her a time or two last year when we covered this same event here on Platter Talk.  Still, that doesn’t answer the question.  Maybe this does:  Authentic Italian Food.  That’s what it’s all about for Viva Italia and guess who puts it all together.  Our friend and the pastor of the church, Paola.  This multi-course Italian dinner features food from Paola’s heart via her hands and kitchen.  We are starting out this year’s Viva Italia coverage by this mouthwatering Conchigliette al forno, shells from the oven.

We talked a little bit about the lady behind this food last year when we featured her delicious Italian Savory Pies, Spaghetti alla Carbonara, Risotto al Pomodoro, hand rolled Gnocci, and a Baked Polenta dressed with Four Cheeses.  This post is featuring a warm and heavenly pasta baked in an understated tone of creamy Gorgonzola and other cheeses, along with portabella mushrooms and sage.  Truly, mouthwatering fare.

Enjoying Paola’s food is never a challenge, getting her to transcribe her recipes into words has been another story.  It isn’t that she doesn’t want to share the secrets to her creations, not at all.  The real issue:  Paola never uses a recipe.  In fact, it seems that once some time ago, I may have had to explain to her that “some” people like to follow a written plan when putting things together in the kitchen.  I also recall the wide-eyed look from her indicating she had had no idea what I was talking about.

Thankfully for those of us who do use a recipe now and then, Paola is a quick study.  She whipped the directions out for this dish like  an old pro and I think you will be happy to know there are more authentic Italian recipes just around the corner and rest assured, all of them are equally appealing as these wonderful shells from the oven.  Interested in attending this evening filled with incredibly delicious authentic fare?  Email us for more information.   Viva Italia!

SaveSaved Pin Print

Conchigliette al forno (Baked Shells)

5 from 2 votes

Recipe by Paola Benecchi

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 30 minutes mins

Total: 40 minutes mins

Yield: 8 servings

By: Paola Benecchi

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 6 ounces portabella mushrooms, cleaned and trimmed
• ▢ 1 stick unsalted butter
• ▢ 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ▢ 1/2 cup white wine
• ▢ One cup of Chicken broth
• ▢ 2 cups finely shredded radicchio
• ▢ 2 1/2 cups heavy cream
• ▢ 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
• ▢ 1/2 cup coarsely shredded fontina
• ▢ 1/2 cup crumbled Gorgonzola
• ▢ 2 teaspoons mascarpone cheese
• ▢ 6 leaves fresh sage, chopped
• ▢ 1 pound conchigliette rigate, pasta shells

Instructions 

• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
• Slice the mushrooms about 1/4-inch thick. Heat 6 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet; add the mushrooms and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Saute over medium heat, add half cup of dry white wine stirring frequently, add one cup of chicken broth until they are cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the mushrooms, radicchio, cream, cheeses, sage.
• Parboil the pasta shells for 4 minutes; drain and add to the ingredients in the mixing bowl. Toss to combine.
• Divide the pasta mixture among 6 to 8 individual, shallow, ceramic gratin dishes (1 1/2 to 2 cup capacity). Dot with the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and bake until bubbly and brown on top, about 7 to 10 minutes.
• Garnish with fresh Italian parsley, but do not cook the parsley in the pasta.

Nutrition

Calories: 676kcal, Carbohydrates: 47g, Protein: 16g, Fat: 47g, Saturated Fat: 29g, Cholesterol: 153mg, Sodium: 702mg, Potassium: 353mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 1642IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 227mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Italian

Tried this recipe?Mention @plattertalk or tag #plattertalk!