Spring Shells and Cheese

Health score
23%
Spring Shells and Cheese
90 min.
8
617kcal

Suggestions

Ingredients

  • ounces baby spinach 
  •  bay leaves 
  • servings pepper black freshly ground
  • pinch cayenne pepper 
  • large egg yolks lightly beaten
  • 0.3 cup flour all-purpose
  • sprigs thyme leaves fresh
  • 1.3 cups gruyère cheese grated
  • servings kosher salt 
  • 0.5  lemon zest grated
  • 0.5 teaspoon nutmeg freshly grated
  • cup parmesan cheese grated
  • pound shells 
  •  shallots minced
  • stick butter unsalted
  • cups milk whole
  • pounds zucchini 

Equipment

  • bowl
  • frying pan
  • sauce pan
  • oven
  • whisk
  • pot
  • baking pan
  • wooden spoon
  • colander
  • box grater

Directions

  1. Grate the zucchini into a colander using the large holes of a box grater. Toss with 1 tablespoon salt, then place in the sink to drain, about 15 minutes. Squeeze out the excess liquid.
  2. Meanwhile, melt 4 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
  3. Add the flour, nutmeg, cayenne, 2 teaspoons salt, and black pepper to taste and mix with a wooden spoon to make a paste. Cook, stirring, until the paste puffs slightly, about 3 minutes. Slowly whisk in the milk, then add the thyme, bay leaves and lemon zest and bring to a boil, stirring. Reduce the heat and simmer until thickened slightly, about 25 minutes. Strain into a bowl; discard the herbs.
  4. Meanwhile, position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 425 degrees F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes.
  5. Drain and add to the sauce.
  6. Melt the remaining 4 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium heat.
  7. Add the shallots and cook until translucent, 2 to 3 minutes.
  8. Add the zucchini and cook, stirring, until almost tender, about 4 minutes.
  9. Add the zucchini mixture to the pasta along with the egg yolks and all but 3 tablespoons of both cheeses; stir to combine, then add the spinach.
  10. Transfer the mixture to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and sprinkle with the reserved cheeses.
  11. Bake until browned on top and heated through, 25 to 30 minutes.
  12. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
  13. Photograph by Con Poulos

Nutrition Facts

Calories617kcal
Protein17.63%
Fat43.08%
Carbs39.29%

Properties

Glycemic Index
54.75
Glycemic Load
23.53
Inflammation Score
-9
Nutrition Score
29.942608625992%

Flavonoids

Apigenin
0.01mg
Luteolin
0.33mg
Kaempferol
0.9mg
Myricetin
0.05mg
Quercetin
1.31mg

Nutrients percent of daily need

Calories:616.8kcal
30.84%
Fat:29.72g
45.72%
Saturated Fat:17.32g
108.26%
Carbohydrates:60.99g
20.33%
Net Carbohydrates:57.05g
20.74%
Sugar:14.46g
16.07%
Cholesterol:129.42mg
43.14%
Sodium:639.81mg
27.82%
Alcohol:0g
100%
Alcohol %:0%
100%
Protein:27.36g
54.71%
Vitamin K:76.02µg
72.4%
Selenium:49.49µg
70.7%
Calcium:643.22mg
64.32%
Phosphorus:586.32mg
58.63%
Vitamin A:2592.48IU
51.85%
Manganese:0.96mg
47.8%
Vitamin B2:0.57mg
33.6%
Vitamin C:26.6mg
32.24%
Vitamin B12:1.58µg
26.25%
Magnesium:101.85mg
25.46%
Vitamin B6:0.5mg
24.83%
Potassium:864.06mg
24.69%
Zinc:3.34mg
22.27%
Folate:86.35µg
21.59%
Vitamin B1:0.28mg
18.68%
Vitamin D:2.64µg
17.6%
Fiber:3.94g
15.76%
Vitamin B5:1.54mg
15.41%
Copper:0.28mg
14.15%
Iron:2.25mg
12.51%
Vitamin B3:2.1mg
10.52%
Vitamin E:1.11mg
7.42%