Creamy Seafood Stuffed Shells Recipe
Creamy Seafood Stuffed Shells is a decadent Italian-inspired baked pasta dish featuring large pasta shells filled with a flavorful blend of seafood and ricotta cheese, topped with a rich cream sauce and melted cheese for a bubbly, comforting meal perfect for seafood lovers.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Filling
- 20 large pasta shells
- 1 lb mixed seafood (shrimp, crab, scallops, or your choice, chopped)
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Sauce
- 2 cups creamy white sauce (Alfredo or béchamel cream sauce)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta Shells: Boil large pasta shells in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Seafood Filling: In a skillet, sauté garlic in butter until fragrant. Add mixed seafood and cook until just opaque. In a bowl, combine cooked seafood with ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella, Parmesan, salt, and pepper to create the filling.
- Stuff Shells: Carefully fill each cooked pasta shell with the seafood and ricotta mixture, ensuring they are evenly stuffed without breaking.
- Assemble Dish: Spread a layer of creamy white sauce on the bottom of a baking dish. Arrange the stuffed shells neatly in the dish and cover them with the remaining cream sauce. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top.
- Bake Until Bubbly: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the assembled dish for 25-30 minutes or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted and golden on top.
- Serve: Remove from oven and let it cool slightly before serving to enjoy a creamy, seafood-rich pasta bake.
Notes
- You can substitute the seafood mix with just shrimp or crab for a simplified version.
- Using fresh seafood will enhance the flavor, but frozen seafood is acceptable if thawed properly.
- Ricotta can be swapped with cottage cheese for a lighter alternative.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add red pepper flakes to the filling or sauce.
- For an extra creamy sauce, mix in a little heavy cream or cream cheese to the white sauce.
Keywords: seafood stuffed shells, baked pasta, creamy seafood pasta, Italian seafood dish, ricotta stuffed shells
