Description
Indulge in these rich and creamy seafood-filled pasta shells, served in a luscious white sauce. Perfect for impressing guests or enjoying a comforting family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 large pasta shells
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup cooked shrimp, chopped
- 1 cup cooked crab meat (or imitation crab)
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 cups Alfredo sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Start by boiling the pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Remember to toss in a bit of salt for flavor! Once cooked, drain and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process and set aside.
- Combine the ricotta cheese, chopped shrimp, crab meat, softened cream cheese, half of the mozzarella, half of the Parmesan, minced garlic, salt, pepper, lemon zest, and parsley (if using) in a mixing bowl. Stir everything together until it’s well blended, creating a decadent filling.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While that’s heating up, grab a baking dish and spread a layer of Alfredo sauce on the bottom to prevent sticking and add flavor to the dish.
- Stuff each shell generously with the seafood mixture using a spoon (or your hands for a more personal touch). Don’t be shy; they should be brimming with goodness!
- Place the stuffed shells in the prepared baking dish, ensuring they fit snugly. Drizzle any leftover Alfredo sauce over the top of the shells, and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil to keep the moisture in. Bake for about 20 minutes, then remove the foil and bake an additional 5-10 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Notes
Consider making a vegetarian version by substituting seafood with sautéed spinach and mushrooms. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg