Creamy Seafood Stuffed Pasta Shells Recipe
Creamy Seafood Stuffed Shells are a decadent Italian-inspired dish featuring large pasta shells filled with a rich and flavorful seafood mixture, baked in a luscious cream sauce and topped with melted cheese. Perfect for a comforting dinner that combines tender pasta, savory seafood, and creamy cheese, delivering a deliciously satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 large pasta shells
Seafood Filling
- 1 cup cooked mixed seafood (such as shrimp, crab, and scallops), chopped
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Cream Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Topping
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta Shells: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta shells until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare the Seafood Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped cooked seafood, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and season with salt and pepper. Mix until well incorporated.
- Stuff the Shells: Carefully fill each cooked shell with the seafood mixture, ensuring they are generously filled but not overflowing.
- Make the Cream Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and add heavy cream, stirring constantly until it begins to simmer. Stir in Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper. Allow the sauce to thicken slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
- Assemble the Dish: Spread a thin layer of cream sauce on the bottom of a baking dish. Arrange the stuffed shells in the dish and pour the remaining cream sauce evenly over them. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the assembled dish uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the sauce is heated through.
- Serve: Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving. Garnish with additional chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute the seafood mix with just shrimp or crab if preferred.
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Make sure to not overfill the shells to avoid spilling during baking.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated in the oven.
Keywords: seafood stuffed shells, creamy stuffed pasta, baked pasta shells, Italian seafood recipe, creamy seafood pasta bake
