Description
Elevate your dining experience with this gourmet dish featuring succulent pan-seared filet mignon steaks, accompanied by a pear and ricotta conchiglioni gratin, and topped with a luscious gorgonzola sauce. Perfect for special occasions or a romantic dinner at home.:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Ingredients
**Pear and Ricotta Conchiglioni:**
– 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
– 2 tablespoons heavy cream
– 1 pear, peeled and cubed
– Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
– 16 conchiglioni (jumbo pasta shells)
**Gorgonzola Sauce:**
– 1/4 cup unsalted butter
– 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
– 2 1/2 cups warm milk
– 6 ounces crumbled gorgonzola cheese
– 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
**Filet Mignon Steaks:**
– 2 filet mignon steaks (10-12 ounces each)
– 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
– Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. **Preheat Oven:** Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. **Prepare Filling:** In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, heavy cream, and diced pear. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
3. **Cook Pasta:** In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook conchiglioni shells until slightly undercooked, about 2–3 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
4. **Make Gorgonzola Sauce:**
– In a saucepan over medium-low heat, melt butter.
– Whisk in flour and cook for about 1 minute to eliminate raw flour taste.
– Gradually add warm milk, whisking constantly until the sauce thickens.
– Stir in crumbled gorgonzola and continue stirring until melted and smooth.
– Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. **Assemble Gratin:**
– Stuff each pasta shell with the pear and ricotta mixture.
– Spread a layer of gorgonzola sauce in a medium-sized baking dish.
– Arrange stuffed shells on top and pour remaining sauce over them, reserving some for the steaks.
– Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese on top.
6. **Bake Gratin:** Bake in the preheated oven for 10–15 minutes until the pasta is al dente. For a golden top, broil for an additional 2–3 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest for at least 5 minutes.
7. **Cook Steaks:**
– While the gratin is baking, season filet mignon steaks generously with salt and pepper.
– Heat vegetable oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until smoking.
– Sear steaks for 2–3 minutes on each side until a crust forms.
– Remove steaks when internal temperature reaches 135°F (57°C) for medium-rare.
– Tent with foil and let rest for at least 5 minutes.
8. **Serve:** Plate the steaks alongside the conchiglioni gratin. Drizzle reserved gorgonzola sauce over the steaks and serve immediately.
Notes
– Ensure steaks are at room temperature before cooking for even searing.
– The conchiglioni gratin can be prepared ahead and baked just before serving.
– For a vegetarian option, omit the filet mignon and serve the gratin as a main course.
– Pair with a full-bodied red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, to complement the rich flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1serving
- Calories: 850kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 55g
- Saturated Fat: 28g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 60g
- Cholesterol: 180mg