Best 6 Five Cheese Stuffed Shells Recipes

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Indulge in a culinary symphony of flavors with our delectable Five-Cheese Stuffed Shells. This tantalizing dish is a perfect blend of textures and tastes, featuring jumbo pasta shells generously filled with a rich and creamy five-cheese mixture, enveloped in a velvety tomato sauce. Each bite is a journey through a cheesy paradise, with hints of Parmesan, ricotta, mozzarella, Asiago, and Romano dancing on your palate. This recipe promises an explosion of flavors that will leave you craving more.

In addition to the classic Five-Cheese Stuffed Shells, we've included two more tempting variations to satisfy every taste bud. Craving a touch of spice? Our Spicy Sausage Stuffed Shells pack a flavorful punch with a zesty sausage filling and a slightly spicy tomato sauce. For a vegetarian delight, our Spinach and Mushroom Stuffed Shells offer a hearty and healthy alternative, bursting with the goodness of spinach, mushrooms, and a creamy cheese sauce.

Each variation is meticulously crafted with high-quality ingredients and simple cooking techniques, ensuring a delightful culinary experience. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, our recipes will guide you effortlessly through the process of creating these mouthwatering stuffed shells. So, prepare to embark on a culinary adventure and treat your loved ones to a feast they'll never forget.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

FIVE-CHEESE JUMBO SHELLS



Five-Cheese Jumbo Shells image

Using five cheeses in one dish doesn't usually translate to a dish that's considered light, but this meatless meal is proof that it can be done with great success-and flavor! The shells freeze beautifully, so leftovers are a cinch to save for another quick dinner when you're in a pinch for time. -Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, Missouri

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h35m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 14

24 uncooked jumbo pasta shells
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium zucchini, shredded and squeezed dry
1/2 pound baby portobello mushrooms, chopped
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cups reduced-fat ricotta cheese
1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup shredded provolone cheese
1/2 cup grated Romano cheese
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 jar (24 ounces) meatless spaghetti sauce
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Cook shells according to package directions for al dente; drain and rinse in cold water., In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add vegetables; cook and stir until tender. Remove from heat. In a bowl, combine ricotta, mozzarella, provolone and Romano cheeses; stir in egg, seasonings and vegetables., Spread 1 cup sauce into a 13x9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Fill pasta shells with cheese mixture; place in baking dish. Top with remaining sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese., Bake, covered, 40 minutes. Bake, uncovered, 10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Freeze option: Cool unbaked casserole; cover and freeze. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Cover casserole with foil; bake 50 minutes. Uncover; bake 15-20 minutes longer or until heated through and a thermometer inserted in center reads 165°.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 298 calories, Fat 9g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 55mg cholesterol, Sodium 642mg sodium, Carbohydrate 36g carbohydrate (12g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 18g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

CHEESE-STUFFED SHELLS



Cheese-Stuffed Shells image

When I was living in California, I tasted this rich cheesy pasta dish at a neighborhood Italian restaurant. I got the recipe and made a few changes to it in my own kitchen. I'm happy to share it with you. -Lori Mecca, Grants Pass, Oregon

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h25m

Yield 12 servings (2 casseroles).

Number Of Ingredients 23

1 pound bulk Italian sausage
1 large onion, chopped
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup 4% cottage cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon, optional
24 jumbo pasta shells, cooked and drained
SAUCE:
1 can (29 ounces) tomato sauce
1 tablespoon dried minced onion
1-1/2 teaspoons dried basil
1-1/2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, cook sausage and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Transfer to a large bowl. Stir in the spinach, cream cheese and egg. Add 1 cup mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper and cinnamon if desired. , Stuff pasta shells with sausage mixture. Arrange in two shallow 2-qt. or 11x7-in. baking dishes coated with cooking spray. Combine the sauce ingredients; spoon over shells. , Cover and bake at 350° for 45 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until bubbly and cheese is melted. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving., Freeze option: Cool unbaked casseroles; cover and freeze. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Cover casserole with foil; bake 50 minutes. Uncover; bake 15-20 minutes longer or until heated through and a thermometer inserted in center reads 165°.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 397 calories, Fat 23g fat (14g saturated fat), Cholesterol 94mg cholesterol, Sodium 1097mg sodium, Carbohydrate 24g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 24g protein.

TWO-CHEESE MAC 'N CHEESE



Two-Cheese Mac 'n Cheese image

A lot of stories claim that mac and cheese was created by Thomas Jefferson, Marco Polo or the cooks of China. My favorite theory? An Italian housewife invented it to introduce non-Italian Americans to macaroni. -Stephanie Sorbie, Glendale, Arizona

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Side Dishes

Time 1h5m

Yield 15 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 package (16 ounces) spiral pasta
3 tablespoons butter
3 garlic cloves, minced, optional
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon pepper
Dash salt
4 cups 2% milk
5 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
1 cup shredded Asiago cheese

Steps:

  • In a Dutch oven, cook pasta according to package directions. , Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic if desired; cook and stir for 1 minute. Stir in flour, pepper and salt until blended; cook and stir until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk, stirring until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook 2 minutes longer or until thickened. , Remove from heat. Stir in 4 cups cheddar cheese and Asiago cheese until melted. Mixture will thicken. , Preheat oven to 350°. Drain pasta; stir in cheese sauce. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining cheddar cheese., Bake, uncovered, 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 331 calories, Fat 17g fat (12g saturated fat), Cholesterol 58mg cholesterol, Sodium 306mg sodium, Carbohydrate 28g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 16g protein.

4 CHEESE STUFFED SHELLS



4 Cheese Stuffed Shells image

Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 35m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Salt
8 pieces jumbo pasta shells
1 1/2 pounds ricotta cheese or part skim ricotta cheese
1 pound mozzarella, diced
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
1 cup shredded Asiago
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 or 7 leaves fresh basil, torn or shredded

Steps:

  • Preheat oven or broiler to 450 degrees F.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt water and add pasta. Cook shells 12 to 15 minutes, they should be softened but still undercooked at the center. Drain pasta and cool.
  • Combine ricotta, 1/2 of the diced mozzarella, a couple of handfuls of Parmigiano and 1/2 of the Asiago. Add parsley to the cheeses and stir to combine.
  • To a small saucepot over moderate heat add oil, garlic and onions. Saute onions and garlic 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and season sauce with salt and pepper. Simmer sauce 5 minutes and stir in basil leaves
  • Pour a little sauce into the bottom of a shallow medium sized flameproof casserole dish. Fill shells with rounded spoonfuls of cheese mixture and arrange them seam side down in casserole dish. Top shells with remaining sauce and remaining mozzarella and Asiago cheeses. Place shells in very hot oven or 8 inches from hot broiler and cook 6 to 8 minutes to melt cheeses and bubble sauce.

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

CHEESE STUFFED SHELLS



Cheese Stuffed Shells image

Make and share this Cheese Stuffed Shells recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Robbie Rice

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 50m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 eggs, beaten
30 ounces ricotta cheese, lowfat okay
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, lowfat okay
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, lowfat okay
1/2 cup fresh parsley sprig, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1 dash black pepper
12 ounces shell pasta, jumbo, prepared
26 ounces spaghetti sauce, lowfat okay
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, lowfat okay

Steps:

  • Boil shells according to package directions. Remove from pot with tongs to avoid tearing and allow to cool on a sheet of wax paper.
  • Combine eggs, cheeses, and seasonings in bowl.
  • Spoon about 3 Tbls. cheese mixture into each cooked shell.
  • Spread 2 Tbls of the spaghetti sauce in bottom of 13"x9" baking dish.
  • Arrange shells in dish over sauce.Pour remaining sauce over stuffed shells.
  • Sprinkle cheese over sauce.
  • Bake in 350F degrees oven for 30 minutes.

Tips

  • Prepare the Shells in Advance: To save time, cook the pasta shells 1-2 days ahead of time and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This will make the assembly process much quicker.
  • Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh herbs like parsley, basil, and oregano add a burst of flavor to the dish. If you don't have fresh herbs on hand, you can use dried herbs, but use about 1/3 of the amount called for in the recipe.
  • Don't Overcook the Shells: Cook the pasta shells according to the package directions, but be careful not to overcook them. Overcooked shells will be mushy and difficult to stuff.
  • Use a Variety of Cheeses: The combination of five cheeses in this recipe creates a rich and flavorful filling. You can use any type of cheese you like, but be sure to include a variety of textures and flavors.
  • Make Sure the Filling is Cool: Before stuffing the shells, make sure the filling is completely cool. This will help prevent the shells from cracking.
  • Bake the Shells Until Golden Brown: Bake the stuffed shells in a preheated oven until the shells are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. This usually takes about 20-25 minutes.

Conclusion

Five-cheese stuffed shells are a delicious and easy-to-make meal that is perfect for any occasion. With a creamy, cheesy filling and a crispy pasta shell, these shells are sure to be a hit with everyone at your table. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal that is also delicious, give five-cheese stuffed shells a try.

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