Best 4 Authentic Italian Stuffed Shells Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

**Authentic Italian Stuffed Shells: A Culinary Journey into Exquisite Flavors**

Indulge in a tantalizing culinary adventure with our authentic Italian stuffed shells, a delectable dish that embodies the essence of Italian cuisine. Stuffed with a flavorful combination of ricotta, Parmesan, and Italian sausage, these shells are enveloped in a rich and savory tomato sauce, creating a symphony of flavors that will delight your palate. The article unveils the secrets behind crafting this beloved dish, providing step-by-step instructions and helpful tips to ensure a perfect result. Along with the classic stuffed shells recipe, discover variations that cater to diverse dietary preferences, including a vegetarian option filled with spinach and mushrooms, a seafood delight bursting with shrimp and crab, and a lighter version featuring whole wheat shells and a creamy Alfredo sauce. Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that will leave you craving for more.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

ITALIAN SAUSAGE STUFFED SHELLS



Italian Sausage Stuffed Shells image

Believe it or not, I'm not a fan of cheese and try to avoid it whenever possible. So dishes that are stuffed with things like ricotta turn me off. I created this dish as a compromise to my cheese avoidance and my husband's love of Italian food. Serve this with garlic bread and a salad for a wonderful family dinner.

Provided by RainbowJewels

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 (16 ounce) package jumbo pasta shells
3 teaspoons vegetable oil, divided
1 pound bulk Italian sausage
1 (16 ounce) package finely shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, plus more for garnish if desired
1 (24 ounce) jar prepared marinara sauce

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly oil a 9x13 baking dish.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook shells in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, about 10 to 12 minutes. Drain. Lightly oil a rimmed baking sheet; place drained pasta on baking sheet to cool.
  • Heat 2 teaspoons vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a heavy skillet. Cook and crumble sausage until it has lost its pink color and begins to brown. Remove from heat; drain off grease.
  • Stir half of the shredded cheese and the Italian seasoning into the browned sausage. Spoon mixture into the pasta shells (1 to 2 tablespoons per shell). Arrange stuffed shells in prepared baking dish. Pour marinara sauce evenly over the shells. Top with remaining shredded cheese. Cover tightly with aluminum foil.
  • Bake in preheated oven until heated through and bubbly, about 30 minutes. Remove foil; bake until browned, 5 to 10 more minutes. Sprinkle with a pinch of Italian seasoning, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 578.2 calories, Carbohydrate 57.3 g, Cholesterol 60.3 mg, Fat 24.6 g, Fiber 4.1 g, Protein 30.2 g, SaturatedFat 10.5 g, Sodium 1171.4 mg, Sugar 9.9 g

STUFFED SHELLS



Stuffed Shells image

Made with a cheesy ricotta filling, smothered in spaghetti sauce and mozzarella cheese, and then baked until gooey and browned, these Italian Stuffed Shells are the ultimate creamy, cheesy baked pasta dish.

Provided by Kristen Chidsey

Categories     Main Course

Time 50m

Number Of Ingredients 12

6 ounces jumbo pasta shells (half a standard box)
1 egg
15 ounces ricotta cheese
1 teaspoon garlic minced
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
1 tablespoon parsley
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
3 cups spaghetti sauce

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and bring a large pot of water to a boil.
  • Once the water comes to a boil, heavily salt the water and add in the shells. Cook for 9 minutes, or 2 minutes less than the package directions state. Drain the pasta and allow it to cool slightly.
  • While the pasta is cooking, prepare the filling by mixing together the ricotta egg, parmesan, garlic, parsley, red pepper flakes, oregano, salt, and pepper in a medium mixing bowl.
  • Spread a 2-quart baking dish with 1/2 cup of spaghetti sauce on the bottom of the pan.
  • Once the shells are cool enough to handle, stuff each shell with the ricotta mixture, about 1/4 cup filling per shell. Remember to not overstuff the shells, so that the shells can somewhat close around the ricotta filling.
  • Top the shells with the remaining spaghetti sauce and then cover with the mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake for 30 minutes, or until cheese is melted and browned.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 275 kcal, Carbohydrate 34 g, Protein 17 g, Fat 6 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Cholesterol 56 mg, Sodium 1106 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 8 g, ServingSize 1 serving

ITALIAN STUFFED SHELLS



Italian Stuffed Shells image

A dear friend first brought over this stuffed shells recipe. Now I take it to other friends' homes and to potlucks, because it's always a big hit! -Beverly Austin, Fulton, Missouri

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h25m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 pound ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
2 cups hot water
1 can (12 ounces) tomato paste
1 tablespoon beef bouillon granules
1-1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 cups 4% cottage cheese
2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
24 jumbo pasta shells, cooked and drained

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, cook beef, onion and garlic over medium heat, crumbling beef, until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in water, tomato paste, bouillon and oregano. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. , Meanwhile, combine egg, cottage cheese, 1 cup mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Stuff shells with cheese mixture., Preheat oven to 350°. Arrange shells in a greased 13x9-in. or 3-qt. baking dish. Pour meat sauce over shells. Cover; bake 30 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes longer. Freeze option: After assembling, cover and freeze. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake as directed, adding remaining 1 cup mozzarella after 30-40 minutes and increasing time as necessary for a thermometer inserted in center to read 165°.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 430 calories, Fat 17g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 94mg cholesterol, Sodium 866mg sodium, Carbohydrate 37g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 32g protein.

STUFFED SHELLS III



Stuffed Shells III image

This recipe is a hit wherever you go. It is a very rich and cheesy meal and looks like a deep-dish pizza when done. I altered what I was originally given because I did not like cottage cheese and added other ingredients that I thought it deserved.

Provided by Renee

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Stuffed Main Dish Recipes

Time 1h30m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 (12 ounce) package jumbo pasta shells
2 eggs, beaten
1 (32 ounce) container ricotta cheese
1 pound shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
8 ounces grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 tablespoon dried parsley
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 (28 ounce) jar pasta sauce
8 ounces sliced fresh mushrooms

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
  • In a large bowl, mix eggs, ricotta, half the mozzarella, half the Parmesan, parsley, salt and pepper until well combined. Stuff cooked shells with ricotta mixture and place in a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  • In a medium bowl, stir together pasta sauce, mushrooms and reserved mozzarella and Parmesan. Pour over stuffed shells.
  • Bake in preheated oven 45 to 60 minutes, until edges are bubbly and shells are slightly set.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 549.7 calories, Carbohydrate 43.7 g, Cholesterol 115.6 mg, Fat 24.5 g, Fiber 3.4 g, Protein 37.7 g, SaturatedFat 13.9 g, Sodium 1544.2 mg, Sugar 9.3 g

Tips:

  • Use fresh ingredients. Fresh herbs, vegetables, and cheese will give your stuffed shells the best flavor.
  • Don't overcook the shells. They should be cooked al dente, so they're still slightly firm to the bite.
  • Use a light touch when stuffing the shells. You don't want to overfill them, or they'll burst open while they're baking.
  • Bake the stuffed shells until they're golden brown and bubbly. This will ensure that the cheese is melted and the shells are cooked through.
  • Serve the stuffed shells immediately with your favorite sauce. Enjoy!

Conclusion:

Authentic Italian stuffed shells are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner. With a few simple tips, you can make this classic dish at home. So next time you're looking for a satisfying and flavorful meal, give stuffed shells a try. You won't be disappointed!

Related Topics