This delectable pasta dish is ideal for parties or dinners. The trinity of pasta, minced chicken and pesto give off a wonderful flavor. Serve it with a creamy soup and some greens to make a hearty meal.

Ricotta or cream cheese would also be good additions to this delicious recipe. Others also prefer topping the stuffed shells with sauce before baking.

 

Ingredients:

20 dried giant pasta shells

2 tablespoons oil

2 leeks, sliced thinly

500g chicken mince

1 tablespoon plain flour

1 cup chicken stock

1/3 cup chopped pimiento

1/2 cup grated fresh parmesan cheese

Melted butter or oil for greasing

For the pesto:

1 cup fresh basil

1/4 cup pine nuts

6 cloves garlic, crushed

1/4 cup olive oil

 

Preheat the oven at 180C and then grease a shallow baking dish with melted butter or oil.

Next, cook the pasta shells in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions or until al dente. Add some oil and stir once in a while to prevent sticking. Drain and then place the shells in the greased baking dish.

Heat the 2 tablespoons of oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir-fry the leeks for 2 minutes or until soft. Add the minced chicken and cook it for 4-6 minutes until the liquid evaporates and it is browned. Break up the mince using a wooden spoon as you cook it. Stir in the flour, pimiento and chicken stock. Increase the heat to high and bring it to a boil. After, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 2-4 minutes or until the liquid is reduced and it thickens.

To prepare the pesto, all you have to do is place the basil, pine nuts, garlic and olive oil in a food processor or blender. Process it for 30 seconds or until the mixture is smooth.  Let it cool and place it in a jar or sealed container.

Place some minced chicken into the cooked pasta shells and return them into the greased baking dish. Top the shells with a spoonful of pesto and grated cheese. Cover the dish with foil and bake the pasta shells for 15 minutes. Remove them from the oven and then transfer the shells to a serving plate or individual plates. Serve warm.