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.

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 temperature do you bake stuffed shells? ›

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Spoon the cheese mixture into each pasta shell and place open side up, in a single layer, in prepared pan. Pour the rest of sauce over the stuffed shells. Loosely cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes.

What is the difference between stuffed shells and manicotti? ›

You can accomplish this popular feat of Italian-American origin by following recipes for either manicotti or stuffed shells. Both pastas are meant to be stuffed. The difference is in the details. Literally translated, manicotti means “little muffs.” The large tubes are made for stuffing.

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.

How do you thicken ricotta filling? ›

There are several methods. Strain the ricotta through a cheese cloth and squeeze out excess moisture before making the filling. Add almond flour. Add dry milk powder.

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.

What pairs well with stuffed shells? ›

I often serve these stuffed shells with my Homemade Caesar Salad, but my Arugula Salad, Beet Salad, or Simple Green Salad would also pair well with this recipe. And when it comes to bread, you really can't go wrong! Stick with a crusty loaf, or make rosemary focaccia, garlic knots, or dinner rolls. Enjoy!

How long does it take for stuffed shells to go bad? ›

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.

Can I freeze stuffed shells before baking? ›

Once the shells are stuffed place them on an ungreased baking sheet. Cover and place in the freezer. Once the stuffed shells are frozen, place them in a plastic freezer bag and seal the bag. Store frozen.

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.

Do you have to thaw frozen stuffed shells before baking? ›

Cooking frozen stuffed shells is quite straightforward. Simply place the frozen shells in a baking dish, cover them with sauce (if desired), and bake them according to the instructions on the packaging. Keep in mind that the cooking time may be longer compared to fresh or thawed shells.

How do you fill manicotti shells without breaking them? ›

It can be difficult to stuff the manicotti shells without breaking them, so you'll need to be gentle. We recommend using a long, narrow spoon or a piping bag.

What is a good substitute for manicotti shells? ›

Lasagna pasta sheets are the way to go for manicotti. They're easier to use than traditional tubes, are less likely to tear, and they have a better texture — just make sure to get the kind without curly edges. To boil the lasagna sheets, crisscross them in the water so they aren't as likely to fuse together.

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.

How do you get water out of stuffed animals? ›

Pat out excess moisture with a dry towel. Air dry or place the stuffed animal in a mesh bag or pillowcase and tumble dry on low.

References

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