Best 5 Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells Recipes

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Are you craving a hearty, flavorful, and visually stunning dish that will impress your family and friends? Look no further than butternut squash stuffed shells. This culinary masterpiece combines the natural sweetness of butternut squash with the comforting texture of pasta shells, resulting in a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. The recipe features a creamy butternut squash filling, a rich tomato sauce, and a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese, creating a delightful combination of textures and flavors. We have curated three mouthwatering variations of this classic recipe to cater to diverse preferences. Our first recipe stays true to the traditional flavors, offering a balance of sweetness and savory goodness. The second recipe adds a touch of spice with the inclusion of roasted red peppers and a hint of chili flakes, resulting in a dish that packs a flavorful punch. The third recipe caters to vegetarians and vegans, featuring a protein-packed filling made from a combination of lentils, mushrooms, and spinach, ensuring that everyone can enjoy this delectable dish. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey as we delve into the detailed instructions for each recipe, providing you with all the necessary steps to create this showstopping dish.

Let's cook with our recipes!

BUTTERNUT SQUASH-STUFFED SHELLS



Butternut Squash-Stuffed Shells image

These stuffed shells are packed with a spicy spinach and ricotta filling and nestled in a cozy roasted butternut Alfredo sauce.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 1h30m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

10 ounces diced butternut squash (about 2 1/2 cups)
1 small shallot, halved
1 clove garlic, unpeeled
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, finely chopped
1 large leaf fresh sage, finely chopped, plus more for serving
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
30 jumbo pasta shells (about 10 ounces)
1/4 cup vegetable broth or water
Two 10-ounce packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained and squeezed dry
1 pound cream cheese, at room temperature
2 cups whole-milk ricotta
2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
2 cups grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
2 cups heavy cream
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
1 cup freshly grated mozzarella

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
  • Add the squash, shallot and garlic to a baking sheet. Drizzle with the olive oil and toss to combine. Sprinkle with the thyme, sage, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper and toss again. Roast until the squash is tender and light golden, about 30 minutes. Let cool.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil; add salt. Add the pasta shells and cook until al dente according to the package directions. Drain and let cool.
  • Squeeze the roasted garlic into a small food processor or blender, add the squash, shallot and vegetable broth and puree until smooth.
  • Mix together the spinach, cream cheese, ricotta, red pepper flakes, 2/3 cup of the Parmesan and 1 tablespoon salt in a large bowl. Stuff about 2 tablespoons of the spinach mixture into each shell; set aside.
  • Add the pureed squash mixture, heavy cream and butter to a large skillet over medium heat. Cook, whisking frequently, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the nutmeg, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and the remaining 1 1/3 cups Parmesan.
  • Spread the cheese sauce into the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Arrange the stuffed shells in the baking dish seam-side up, shingling them so they all fit (you should have 5 shells along the short side and 6 shells along the long side). Top with the mozzarella. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbling, 15 to 20 minutes. Top with more Parmesan and sage before serving.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND SAUSAGE STUFFED SHELLS



Butternut Squash and Sausage Stuffed Shells image

I rarely invite friends for dinner without someone requesting this easy pasta casserole. The sweet squash complements the spicy sausage, and the creamy goat cheese makes it all just melt in your mouth! You can substitute manicotti or even rolled lasagna noodles for the shells. The stuffed shells and sauce can be prepared a day ahead and assembled just before baking. -Taylor Hale, Sonoma, California

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h25m

Yield 10 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

5 cups peeled butternut squash, cut into 1-inch cubes
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
32 uncooked jumbo pasta shells
3/4 pound bulk hot Italian sausage
2 cups finely chopped sweet onion, divided
1 package (5 ounces) baby kale salad blend, chopped
8 ounces crumbled goat cheese, divided
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 carton (26.46 ounces) chopped tomatoes, undrained
2 tablespoons fresh sage
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup fat-free half-and-half

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400°. On a foil-lined baking sheet, toss squash with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Roast squash, stirring halfway through, until tender and starting to caramelize, 40 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl; roughly mash. Reduce heat to 350°., Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain., In a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, cook sausage and 1 cup onion, crumbling meat, until no longer pink. Add baby kale; cook until kale is tender, 3-5 minutes. Mix with squash. Stir in 4 ounces goat cheese., In same skillet, heat remaining olive oil. Add remaining onion; cook until softened, 3-5 minutes. Add garlic; cook, stirring, for 1 minute more. Add tomatoes, sage and sugar; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thickened, about 15 minutes. Cool about 5 minutes. Pulse in a blender until combined. Add half-and-half; pulse until smooth. Pour about half of sauce in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish., Stuff each shell with about 2 tablespoons squash mixture; arrange in the baking dish. Pour remaining tomato sauce over shells; top with remaining goat cheese. Bake, covered, until beginning to bubble, 20 minutes. Remove cover; bake another 10 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 379 calories, Fat 18g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 47mg cholesterol, Sodium 344mg sodium, Carbohydrate 43g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 6g fiber), Protein 15g protein.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH STUFFED SHELLS



Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells image

Garlic and rosemary mashed butternut squash in Italian pasta shells with a caramelized onion butter sauce are served on a bed of spinach.

Provided by erikatbones

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 1h10m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 18

2 butternut squash, quartered and seeded
3 cloves garlic
½ cup cream
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon minced rosemary
salt to taste
1 (16 ounce) package jumbo pasta shells
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 red onion, sliced thin
2 tablespoons brown sugar
¼ cup butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 ½ cups cream
2 tablespoons goat cheese
1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
cooking spray
1 (10 ounce) bag spinach
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Steps:

  • Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Boil squash until very tender, 8-10 minutes. Lift squash out of water with a slotted spoon; cool slightly and peel. Combine cooked squash, garlic, 1/2 cup cream, 2 tablespoons butter, and 1 teaspoon rosemary in a food processor; process until squash is smooth. Salt to taste.
  • Bring the water back to a boil, adding more if necessary. Stir in the shell pasta, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still very firm to the bite, about 10 minutes. Drain well in a colander set in the sink.
  • Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Stir in red onion and brown sugar. Cook and stir over low heat, until onion is very soft and sweet, about 15 minutes. Remove from skillet; reserve. Melt 1/4 cup butter in the same skillet. Sprinkle flour into butter and stir until incorporated. Pour in 3 1/2 cups cream; whisk in goat cheese and remaining 1 teaspoon rosemary. Cook until sauce is thick, 4-6 minutes. Stir in the reserved onions.
  • Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Scatter spinach over bottom of dish. Stuff pasta shells evenly with butternut squash mixture and place atop spinach. Bake shells in preheated oven until hot, about 10 minutes. Top with sauce, and sprinkle with parsley to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 899.1 calories, Carbohydrate 90.9 g, Cholesterol 187.3 mg, Fat 56.3 g, Fiber 9.2 g, Protein 15 g, SaturatedFat 33.7 g, Sodium 161.7 mg, Sugar 12.6 g

BUTTERNUT SQUASH, RICOTTA & SPINACH STUFFED SHELLS RECIPE - (4.2/5)



Butternut Squash, Ricotta & Spinach Stuffed Shells Recipe - (4.2/5) image

Provided by Jomamma

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 (12-ounce) package jumbo pasta shells (about 24 shells total)
2 cups of ricotta
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
1 fresh smashed garlic clove
1/4 cup frozen chopped spinach (squeezed and drained)
1 egg
Salt and pepper, to taste
Roasted squash, around 2 cups
grated lemon peel
1 stick of butter
10 sage leaves
Fresh lemon juice

Steps:

  • Peel, chop and toss in olive oil your butternut squash, then in a hot oven roast at 425°F for 15-20 minutes. Cook your jumbo pasta shells according to directions. In a bowl add approximately 2 cups of ricotta, 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, 1 fresh smashed garlic clove, 1/4 cup frozen chopped spinach ( squeezed and drained), 1 egg, salt, pepper, and your cooled down roasted squash, around 2 cups and grated lemon peel. The lemon peel was key to this dish and added a nice bright flavor. Stuff the shells with the mixture and place in a buttered baking dish. Make a sage brown butter sauce by melting 1 stick of butter in a saute pan until golden brown and bubbly. Add at least 10 sage leaves until slightly crisp. Turn off heat and squeeze in fresh lemon juice. Place your shells in a 400°F oven until heated through around 20-25 minutes. When finished spoon your warm sage sauce all over and sprinkle with grated Parmesan.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH-STUFFED SHELLS



Butternut Squash-Stuffed Shells image

Number Of Ingredients 0

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.Add the squash, shallot and garlic to a baking sheet. Drizzle with the olive oil and toss to combine. Sprinkle with the thyme, sage, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper and toss again. Roast until the squash is tender and light golden, about 30 minutes. Let cool.Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil; add salt. Add the pasta shells and cook until al dente according to the package directions. Drain and let cool.Squeeze the roasted garlic into a small food processor or blender, add the squash, shallot and vegetable broth and puree until smooth.Mix together the spinach, cream cheese, ricotta, red pepper flakes, 2/3 cup of the Parmesan and 1 tablespoon salt in a large bowl. Stuff about 2 tablespoons of the spinach mixture into each shell; set aside.Add the pureed squash mixture, heavy cream and butter to a large skillet over medium heat. Cook, whisking frequently, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the nutmeg, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and the remaining 1 1/3 cups Parmesan.Spread the cheese sauce into the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Arrange the stuffed shells in the baking dish seam-side up, shingling them so they all fit (you should have 5 shells along the short side and 6 shells along the long side). Top with the mozzarella. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbling, 15 to 20 minutes. Top with more Parmesan and sage before serving.Source: foodnetwork.comRecipe formatted with the Cook'n Recipe Software from DVO Enterprises.

Nutrition Facts : Calories per serving 888

Tips:

  • Choose the right squash: For the best-stuffed shells, choose a butternut squash that is firm and has a deep orange color. Avoid squash with blemishes or bruises.
  • Roast the squash properly: Roasting the squash brings out its natural sweetness and flavor. Make sure to roast the squash until it is tender and slightly caramelized.
  • Use a good quality cheese: The cheese is a key ingredient in this dish, so it's important to use a good quality cheese that melts well. A sharp cheddar or Parmesan cheese would be a good choice.
  • Don't overcook the shells: The shells should be cooked al dente, which means they should be tender but still have a slight bite to them. Overcooking the shells will make them mushy.
  • Serve the dish immediately: This dish is best served immediately after it is made. The shells will start to lose their texture if they sit for too long.

Conclusion:

Butternut squash stuffed shells are a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. The roasted squash and melted cheese make this dish irresistibly creamy and flavorful. With a few simple tips, you can make this dish a hit with your family and friends.

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