Recipe for a Happy Snow Day (or...snow melting day)

Spinach and Ricotta-Stuffed Shells

This recipe is super easy, and super good to eat on a cold day. It makes for a happy tummy and a happy husband. Here are the steps!

Ingredients

20 jumbo pasta shells (about half a 12-ounce box)

1 24-ounce jar marinara sauce

2 15-ounce containers ricotta

2 cups baby spinach, chopped

1/2 cup grated Parmesan (2 ounces)

Kosher salt and black pepper

1/2 cup grated mozzarella (4 ounces)

green salad (optional)

1. Set an oven rack to the highest position and heat oven to 400° F. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and run under cold water to cool.

2. Spread the marinara sauce in the bottom of a large broilerproof baking dish.

3. In a bowl, combine the ricotta, spinach, Parmesan, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.

4. Spoon the mixture into the shells and place them on top of the sauce.

5. Sprinkle the shells with the mozzarella and bake until heated through, 10 to 12 minutes.

6. Increase heat to broil. Broil the shells until cheese begins to brown, 2 to 5 minutes. Serve with the salad, if desired

And voila! Eat and enjoy! :)

SNOWKLAHOMA {ROUND 1}

Growing up in Edmond, I have memories of playing in the snow every winter, and always building epic snowmen.  Apparently that is a talent only children possess, because all our snowman amounted to was a snow lump.  At least he looks happy, right?

Something about being inside while it's freezing outside sent me on a cooking spree! (Recipes to come later.)  I'll take any excuse to sit around in my p.j.s all day and enjoy good food.

The Wehunts and the Loehrs luckily had the foresight to get snowed in together!  We enjoyed spending a few days with some of our favorite people, and loved the 11 month old charm of Baby Darryl and his precious grins.  Watch out Kelly, I might have to snatch him up and bring him back over to the Loehrs! :)

I'm pretty sure I'd make a good Eskimo, because I never get tired of being snowed in, and I can always think of an endless amount of things to do.  Of course those things usually don't include productive tasks, but....what are snow days for, really?

Me: "Hey Dustin, this snow isn't sticking.  Maybe we should add some water."

Dustin: "Jess, I really think we should either get a shovel, or just admit this isn't going to work."

Me: "I guess growing up in Arizona, you didn't learn the vital skills of snowman building like we did here in Oklahoma..."

Dustin: (facial expression above)