14 Stuffed Shell Recipes You Can't Miss (2024)

With these14 Stuffed Shells Recipes, you will soon find variations you didn’t know existed. These delicious pasta creations are so good you will be smitten and ready to put on your apron.

How do we know you’ll be head over heels?

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Well, because we fell hard for theHomemade Manicotti,Seafood Stuffed Shells, andPumpkin Ricotta Stuffed Shells, and that’s just a few of the delicious options you’ll find on this incredible list. So are you ready to discover the tasty?

Let’s dive in!

Turkey Alfredo Stuffed Shells

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If you’re in the market for a new way to use leftover or ground turkey, look no further than this scintillatingTurkey Alfredo Stuffed Shellsrecipe by Lori of Foxes Love Lemons. What with turkey, pasta shells, and creamy homemade Alfredo sauce (which is way better than the jarred stuff)? It’s a fall weather dish that has comfort written all over it. You’re going to love it.

Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Shells

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Trisha knows a thing or three about aSalty Side Dish, as epitomized by thisBuffalo Chicken Stuffed Shellsrecipe. So indeed, you’ve had Buffalo chicken wings and dip before. Heck, we evenstuffed pretzels with buffalo dip. However, this time you stuff tender pasta shells with Buffalo-flavored shredded chicken, cottage cheese, and shredded cheese for a fun meal with “Friday night dinner” written all over it.

Italian Sausage Stuffed Shells

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If you’re a fan ofground Italian sausage, you’ll love thisItalian Sausage Stuffed Shellsrecipe, especially if you’reCraving Some Creativity. And if you’re not, you will be soon because each pasta shell is packed with ground sausage, ricotta cheese, mozzarella, parmesan, sauce, and lots of seasoning. Plus, prep takes just 15 minutes, making it ideal for weeknights, but it’s fancy enough for dinner guests.

Crockpot Stuffed Shells

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Mama Loves Food, and you’ll love April’sCrockpot Stuffed Shellsrecipe. It’s a leisurely,tasty pasta dinnerthe whole fam will devour. So you’re sure to hit the replay button on this one. Here’s why. First, there are no fancy ingredients, and some, like ground beef, pasta sauce, and frozen spinach, you may already have. Second, it’s mostly hands-off. All you have to do is par-cook the shells, stuff them, and add the ingredients to your slow cooker, and voila!

Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells

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TheseGiant Cheese Stuffed Shellsby Sandra ofShe’s Not Cookin’was inspired by the iconic Olive Garden menu item. So now you can have yourcomfort food favoriteright in your own home. First, you’ll needconchiglioni(or giant pasta shells), which may sound exotic, but it’s easy to find, just like all the other ingredients in this dish. It’s simple but so good.

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Ricotta Pumpkin Stuffed Shells

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With thisRicotta Pumpkin Stuffed Shellsrecipe, registered dietician Lizzie ofIt’s A Veg World After Allshares a healthy iteration of the stuffed shells she grew up eating. So rather than pasta overflowing with meat, Italian seasonings, and stretchy cheese, her inviting version calls for pureed pumpkin and fall flavorings like cloves, cinnamon, and sage.

Air Fryer Taco Stuffed Shells

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TheseAir Fryer Taco Stuffed Shellsfrom Brandie,The Country Cookis a viral Tik Tok sensation. There’s meat and cheese on the inside, and the shells have a satisfying crunch on the outside. Then, when they’re done, remember to serve them with taco-seasoned sour cream dipping sauce for a breeze of a meal ready in less than an hour.

BBQ Pulled Pork Stuffed Shells

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Want a clever solution for leftover pulled pork?Then you must see thisBBQ Pulled Pork Stuffed Shellsidea byErica’s Recipes. It’s not just shells stuffed with porky goodness, bbq sauce, and cheese. Nope! She takes the flavor much further with shallots, sun-dried tomatoes, cream cheese, and sour cream.

How To Make Manicotti From Scratch

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While the other shell recipes on this list called for conchiglie or seashell-shaped pasta, Kara ofGrains In Small Placesshows youHow to Make Manicotti From Scratch. Yes, her write-up optionally includes a homemade pasta shell recipe. But, if you “ain’t got time for that,” forgo the rewarding pasta-making process and use a premade brand. Because, after all, her recipe is still yummy with three kinds of cheese, parsley, garlic, nutmeg, and marinara.

Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Stuffed Shells

Ideal for many occasions, thisChicken Broccoli Alfredo Stuffed Shellsrecipe bySweet Pea Kitchenis appetite-inducing, nutrient-dense eats fit for a small army or yours and the neighbor kids. Here’s why they won’t be able to put down the fork. In less than 30 minutes in the oven, you can expect slightly crispy baked shells stuffed with a creamy mix of chicken, broccoli, and alfredo sauce inside.

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Cheeseburger Stuffed Shells Recipe

If you find yourself stuck deciding between burgers or pasta, save yourself the discontent and choose both with thisCheeseburger Stuffed Shells RecipebyThe Frugal Navy Wife. After boiling the pasta to al dente, stuff them with a mix of ground hamburger, relish, ketchup, and mustard. Next, add cheese and bake until gooey and golden brown.

Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo Stuffed Shells

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Whether you make thisSteak Gorgonzola Alfredo Stuffed Shellsby Kim ofThree Olives Branchfor a dinner party or because it’s a weekday dinner treat for yourself, you can’t go wrong. Because with four kinds of cheese (ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, and gorgonzola), ground beef, alfredo sauce, and sun-dried tomatoes, you won’t be wanting for flavor.

Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells

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This Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells recipe from The Dizzy Cook gives the pumpkin stuffed version a run for the money. And although it’s a migraine diet recipe, it’s still amazing with deliciously convenient canned squash, creamy ricotta cheese, fresh sage, and a buttery, creamy bechamel sauce.

Seafood Stuffed Shells

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ThisSeafood Stuffed Shellsrecipe byDishes With Dadis our finalStuffed Shells Recipeslist entry. It’s chockfull of shrimp, scallops, and crab. Then there’s the cheeses: ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan. And finally, there’s a luscious gourmet bechamel cream sauce that ties it all together before you put it in the oven to golden brown splendor.Perhaps we saved the best for last?

Which Sensational Stuffed Shells Recipe Will You Try First?

So you made it to the end of this sensational stuffed shells recipe collection, and you’ve come across oodles of stuffed pasta shells recipes. So, which ones are you most excited to try? Is it the Seafood Stuffed Shells, Cheeseburger Stuffed Shells, BBQ Pulled Pork Stuffed Shells, or something else? We’d love to know!

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14 Stuffed Shell Recipes You Can't Miss (2024)

FAQs

Why is my stuffed shells watery? ›

You want a ricotta that has nothing more than milk, salt, and either an acid or bacterial starter. Avoid anything with a gum listed—these gums bind water but release it as you heat the ricotta up. Straight out of its container, even good-quality ricotta can be too wet, which will result in a watery filling later.

What temperature do you bake stuffed shells? ›

Divided evenly, the filling should be enough for 18-20 shells. Next, bake. Spread 2 cups of marinara sauce at the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. Nestle in the shells, cover the dish with foil, and bake for 20 minutes at 425°F.

Why are my stuffed shells hard? ›

Don't Overcook the Pasta Shells!

Do not, I repeat, DO NOT over cook your pasta shells. In fact, I want you to undercook them! Boil them in a large pot of salt water for exactly 5 minutes, then drain them well and gently pat them dry. The shells will still be relatively hard, but just soft enough for you to stuff them.

What sides go with stuffed shells? ›

Best Side Dishes for Stuffed Shells
  • Onion Rings.
  • Stuffed Peppers.
  • Cobb Salad.
  • Quinoa salad.
  • Steamed Broccoli.
  • Deviled Eggs.
  • Apple Bread.
  • Roasted Carrots.
Oct 25, 2022

Why do you add an egg to ricotta cheese? ›

For extra creamy ricotta, add in an extra egg, a handful of grated parmesan, and a quarter cup of shredded mozzarella. Eggs help prevent the ricotta from drying out and serve to bind the ricotta so it doesn't become runny.

Do you drain ricotta cheese? ›

Remarkably simple to make, the versatile ricotta cheese is drained soon after cooking to form anything from a wet mush to firm, crumbly curds. Whether you are making your own ricotta, or drying out store-bought ricotta that is too wet for your taste, the draining process is the same.

Should I defrost frozen stuffed shells before baking? ›

The pasta shells can be pulled from the freezer and go right into the oven after just adding some prepared spaghetti sauce (a staple in my house) and cheese. Sixty minutes later they are ready to serve.

Can I freeze stuffed shells before baking? ›

Alternatively, you can put the shells in the dish you'd like to eventually bake them in, cover the top in plastic wrap, and freeze the whole thing so you can conveniently cook the dish later with the quick addition of sauce.

Do stuffed shells reheat well? ›

These easy Stuffed Shells are the perfect dinner and a family favorite. Filled with three kinds of cheese and baked in Marinara Sauce, it's quick to prepare and leftovers keep and reheat beautifully. Watch the video tutorial and see how easy it is to make ricotta-stuffed pasta shells.

Why did my stuffed shells fall apart? ›

It all comes down to cooking times and, in particular, the cooking time of the shells before stuffing. Once baked, the pasta shells should be perfectly cooked, but regrettably, they are commonly too soft. To avoid this, make sure you are cooking your shells just slightly before they are al dente.

How many days are stuffed shells good for? ›

Like most leftovers, your stuffed shells should last for three to four days in a fridge set at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower . If you can't eat the extra stuffed shells so soon, put them in the freezer set at 0 degrees Fahrenheit and they will stay fresh for four months.

How do you keep stuffed shells from sticking? ›

You should only be cooking the shells to al dente to start! Once your shells have reached this point, drain the hot water from the pot and replace it with cold water. This stops the shells from cooking any further than you want them to and also ensures that they won't stick together upon serving.

What is the name for stuffed shells? ›

The pasta called conchiglioni, usually marketed as “jumbo shells” here in the US, are filled with a ricotta cream enriched with mozzarella, napped with a simple marinara sauce and topped with a generous sprinkling of Parmesan before being baked in a hot oven.

What do you eat with stuffed crab? ›

I usually serve with rice and steamed vegetable. It's filled with flavor and is pretty easy to make. I could eat the stuffing all by it's self.

How do you thicken watery ricotta? ›

Yet another way is to add a thickener such as cornstarch or arrowroot starch. Start with 2-3 teaspoons and allow it to stand for 15-20 minutes. How do you make store bought ricotta taste better?

Why is my ricotta cheese watery? ›

The sign your ricotta is bad

If the ricotta has gone yellowish or brown, or if there's a layer of water sitting atop the cheese, that's also an indicator that your ricotta has spoiled (so don't just shrug and mix the water back into the cheese!).

Is ricotta supposed to be watery? ›

While the flavor of ricotta is light, its texture is meant to be thick and creamy. Unfortunately, most grocery stores carry watery ricotta that seems to have lost this desirable quality. Heres a quick tip to restore its consistency, making it perfect to use in any dish, from lasagna to cannoli.

What happens if you put too much water in stuffing? ›

The stuffing should be moist but not wet. If there is a puddle of broth at the bottom of the bowl, you've added too much. Add more bread to soak up the excess moisture. If the mix is still dry and crumbly, add more liquid and toss gently until it starts to clump together.

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