Indulge in a culinary journey with our delectable Stuffed Shells, an Italian-inspired dish that embodies both comfort and sophistication. These jumbo pasta shells are meticulously filled with a savory blend of ricotta, spinach, Parmesan, and aromatic herbs, then enveloped in a velvety tomato sauce. This symphony of flavors is further enhanced by a generous sprinkling of melted mozzarella, resulting in a golden-brown, irresistible crust.
Our collection features three enticing recipes that cater to diverse dietary preferences and culinary skills. The Classic Stuffed Shells recipe embodies the traditional flavors of this beloved dish, while the Vegetarian Stuffed Shells offer a lighter, yet equally satisfying alternative. For those seeking a touch of indulgence, the Spinach and Artichoke Stuffed Shells elevate the classic recipe with the addition of sautéed spinach and artichoke hearts.
Each recipe is meticulously crafted with step-by-step instructions, ensuring a seamless cooking experience. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or embarking on your culinary adventure, these Stuffed Shells recipes will guide you towards creating a memorable meal that will impress family and friends alike.
THE BEST STUFFED SHELLS
Here's our upgrade on the Italian-American comfort food classic. We used three different cheeses to get the ultra-creamy filling just right. It really balances the tangy homemade tomato sauce.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 2h30m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- For the marinara sauce: Heat the oil in a medium heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until very soft, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes, if using, and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the garlic has softened but not browned, about 3 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat, add the basil and dried oregano, partially cover and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thickened, about 45 minutes.
- Remove the basil sprig. If the sauce is still too chunky, mash the larger chunks of tomato with a potato masher. Season with salt and pepper. Let cool.
- For the shells and filling: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the dried pasta shells cook, stirring occasionally, until softened slightly but not cooked. (The pasta shells should flexible enough to be filled but remain very al dente; they will continue to cook during baking.) Drain, then run under cold water to stop cooking. Drain well again.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Mix together the ricotta, mozzarella, Parmigiano-Reggiano, parsley and egg in a large bowl until well combined and uniform. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Transfer the filling to a large disposable pastry bag or large resealable plastic bag (or use a spoon for filling directly from the bowl).
- Spread 2 1/2 cups of the marinara sauce in a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Snip off the end of the pastry bag and squeeze the filling into the shells one at a time. Arrange the shells open-side up in a tight single layer in the baking dish as you fill them. Top with the remaining marinara sauce. Cover the pan tightly with foil and bake the shells until the sauce is bubbling throughout and the filling is heated through, about 35 minutes.
- Remove the foil from the pan and continue to bake for 10 more minutes to reduce the sauce. Let cool slightly before serving. Top with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.
STUFFED SHELLS I
Jumbo macaroni shells stuffed with cheese mixture, covered with sauce, and baked.
Provided by SALLYJUN
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 50m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Cook shells according to package directions. Place in cold water to stop cooking. Drain.
- Mix together cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, eggs, and garlic powder. Rub the dried herbs in the palms of your hands to pulverize them, and stir into the cheese mixture. Stuff mixture into the shells.
- Spread 1/3 of spaghetti sauce in the bottom of a 15 x 10 inch pan. Place shells open side up, and close together in pan. Spread remaining sauce over top, and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
- Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 to 35 minutes, or until bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 557.4 calories, Carbohydrate 59.6 g, Cholesterol 97.9 mg, Fat 18.2 g, Fiber 4.3 g, Protein 37 g, SaturatedFat 9.8 g, Sodium 1197.5 mg, Sugar 10.6 g
EASY BEEF-STUFFED SHELLS
Here's a rich and comforting dish that's terrific right away or made ahead and baked the next day. Pesto makes a surprising filling for these stuffed shells with meat sauce. -Blair Lonergan, Rochelle, Virginia
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h30m
Yield 10 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Cook pasta shells according to package directions to al dente; drain and rinse in cold water. In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1-1/2 cups Italian cheese blend, Parmesan cheese, pesto, egg and half of the beef mixture., Spread 3/4 cup spaghetti sauce into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Spoon cheese mixture into pasta shells; place in baking dish. Combine remaining beef mixture and spaghetti sauce; pour over shells. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Cover and refrigerate overnight., Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Cover and bake for 40 minutes. Uncover; bake until cheese is melted, 5-10 minutes longer.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 405 calories, Fat 22g fat (10g saturated fat), Cholesterol 90mg cholesterol, Sodium 730mg sodium, Carbohydrate 26g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 25g protein.
STUFFED SHELLS III
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
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:
- For a richer flavor, use a combination of ricotta and Parmesan cheeses in the filling.
- If you don't have any Parmesan cheese on hand, you can substitute Romano or Asiago cheese.
- Add a pinch of garlic powder or Italian seasoning to the ricotta cheese filling for extra flavor.
- If your shells are too large, you can cut them in half before stuffing them.
- To prevent the shells from sticking together, brush them with a little olive oil before baking.
- Bake the shells until they are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve the shells immediately, topped with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.
Conclusion:
Stuffed shells are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion. With a little planning and effort, you can easily make stuffed shells at home that taste just as good as the ones you get in a restaurant. So next time you're looking for a hearty and satisfying meal, give stuffed shells a try. You won't be disappointed!
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