**Introduction:**
Embark on a culinary journey to Italy with our delectable Italian Stuffed Shells, meticulously curated by Cassie - a seasoned home cook and food enthusiast. This classic dish, also known as Conchiglie Ripiene, is a symphony of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds. Dive into a world of pillowy pasta shells, generously filled with a savory blend of ricotta, spinach, Parmesan, and herbs, enveloped in a luscious tomato sauce that sings with the essence of Italy. Our collection of recipes offers variations to suit every palate, from a traditional meat-filled version to a vegetarian delight brimming with roasted vegetables. Prepare to indulge in a culinary masterpiece that is not only visually stunning but also a feast for the senses. Buon Appetito!
**Recipes:**
**Classic Italian Stuffed Shells:**
This traditional recipe embodies the essence of Italian Stuffed Shells - a harmonious union of tender pasta shells, a rich ricotta filling, and a velvety tomato sauce. Each bite bursts with the flavors of Italy, leaving you craving more.
**Meat-Filled Italian Stuffed Shells:**
For those who relish the taste of meat, this variation incorporates a delectable combination of ground beef, Italian sausage, and pancetta into the stuffing. The hearty filling adds a robust dimension to the dish, making it a satisfying meal that is sure to impress.
**Vegetarian Italian Stuffed Shells:**
Cater to vegetarian preferences with this delightful recipe that showcases the vibrant flavors of roasted vegetables. A medley of zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, and spinach is carefully sautéed and blended with ricotta cheese, creating a flavorful and colorful filling that is both nutritious and delicious.
**Mini Italian Stuffed Shells:**
Perfect for parties or as a fun twist on a classic, these mini stuffed shells are bite-sized morsels of pure delight. Prepare them in advance and freeze for a quick and easy appetizer or snack that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
**Baked Italian Stuffed Shells:**
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this baked version of Italian Stuffed Shells. Layers of pasta shells, filling, and sauce are baked to perfection, resulting in a golden-brown crust and a creamy, bubbling interior. Serve with a side of crusty bread to soak up every last bit of the delectable sauce.
ITALIAN SAUSAGE STUFFED SHELLS
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
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
ITALIAN STUFFED SHELLS
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
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
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
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
Tips:
- Use fresh ingredients. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your stuffed shells.
- Don't overcook the shells. They should be cooked al dente, so that they still have a little bit of a bite to them.
- Be generous with the filling. The more filling you use, the more flavorful your stuffed shells will be.
- Don't be afraid to experiment. There are many different ways to make stuffed shells, so feel free to get creative with your ingredients and flavors.
- Serve the stuffed shells with your favorite sauce. A simple tomato sauce or a creamy Alfredo sauce are both good options.
Conclusion:
Stuffed shells are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They're perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion. With a little creativity, you can make stuffed shells that are sure to impress your family and friends.
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