Banana Muffin with Mascarpone and Walnuts

Didn't change a thing on this one - YUM!

Ingredients

• 1 pound jumbo pasta shells (16 pieces)
• 1 cup (4 oz) baby pasta shells
• 6 plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped
• 1/4 cup EVOO
• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon herbes de provence
• Salt and pepper
• 1/2 pound thawed frozen spinach, squeezed to remove excess liquid
• 1 1/2 cups ricotta (about 12 oz)
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan

Directions

1. Preheat the broiler. In a pot of boiling, salted water, cook the jumbo shells until al dente. In a smaller saucepan of boiling, salted water, cook the baby shells until al dente. Drain separately, reserving 3/4 cup of the cooking water. Spread the jumbo shells out on a work surface.
2. Meanwhile, in a large, ovenproof skillet, toss the tomatoes with 3 tbsp. EVOO. Broil for 15 minutes. Remove, then stir in the garlic, herbs and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water; season with salt and pepper. Lower the oven to 350 degrees .
3. In a bowl, toss the baby shells with the remaining 1 tbsp. EVOO. Stir in the spinach, ricotta, 1/4 cup parmesan and remaining 1/4 cup pasta water; season. Stuff the jumbo shells with the spinach mixture; arrange in the skillet atop the sauce. Top with the remaining parmesan, cover and bake until heated through, about 30 minutes.

Recipe by Giada Di Laurentis