Best 5 4 Cheese Stuffed Shells Recipes

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Craving a delectable and comforting meal that will tantalize your taste buds? Look no further than "4 Cheese Stuffed Shells"! This classic Italian dish combines the richness of four distinct cheeses with the tender embrace of pasta shells, resulting in a symphony of flavors that will leave you utterly satisfied. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting to explore the culinary realm, this comprehensive guide will provide you with everything you need to create this unforgettable dish that is perfect for a cozy family dinner, a romantic date night, or even a lavish party.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

FOUR-CHEESE STUFFED SHELLS



Four-Cheese Stuffed Shells image

More cheese, please! You'll get your fill from saucy jumbo pasta shells loaded with four kinds-ricotta, Asiago, mozzarella and cottage cheese. Do the prep work, and then freeze according to the recipe directions to have a ready-to-bake meal. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 45m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

6 uncooked jumbo pasta shells
1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
1/4 cup shredded Asiago cheese
1/4 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup 4% cottage cheese
1 tablespoon minced chives
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 cup meatless spaghetti sauce

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese, Asiago cheese, ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, chives and 1/2 cup spinach (save the remaining spinach for another use)., Spread 1/2 cup spaghetti sauce into a shallow 1-1/2-qt. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Drain pasta; stuff with cheese mixture. Arrange in prepared dish. Top with remaining spaghetti sauce and mozzarella. , Cover and bake until heated through, 25-30 minutes. Freeze option: Cover and freeze unbaked casserole. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake as directed, increasing time as necessary to heat through and for a thermometer inserted in the center of 2 or 3 shells to read 165°.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 376 calories, Fat 14g fat (9g saturated fat), Cholesterol 49mg cholesterol, Sodium 959mg sodium, Carbohydrate 39g carbohydrate (13g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 25g protein.

STUFFED SHELLS I



Stuffed Shells I image

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

1 (16 ounce) package jumbo pasta shells
4 cups large curd cottage cheese
12 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 pinch garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 (26 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

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

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

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.

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:

  1. Ensure Proper Shell Selection: Choose jumbo pasta shells that can hold the filling adequately. Smaller shells may not provide enough space for the filling.
  2. Maintain a Consistent Texture: If using fresh spinach, wilt it properly to remove excess moisture. This prevents the filling from becoming watery.
  3. Achieve a Creamy Sauce: Use a combination of ricotta and cream cheese to create a smooth and creamy filling. For a richer flavor, consider adding a touch of heavy cream.
  4. Enhance Flavor with Herbs and Spices: Experiment with different herbs and spices to create a flavorful filling. Options include basil, oregano, garlic powder, and onion powder.
  5. Don't Overcook the Shells: Boil the shells according to the package instructions to prevent them from becoming too soft and mushy.
  6. Ensure the Filling is Well-Mixed: Mix the filling ingredients thoroughly to ensure an even distribution of flavors and textures.
  7. Stuff the Shells Carefully: Use a small spoon or piping bag to stuff the shells gently, avoiding tearing them.
  8. Bake Until Golden Brown: Bake the stuffed shells until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the shells have a light golden-brown color.

Conclusion:

By following these tips, you can create a delicious and visually appealing 4-Cheese Stuffed Shells dish that will impress your family and friends. Remember to choose high-quality ingredients, pay attention to the cooking times, and adjust the flavors to your personal preferences. With a little practice, you'll be able to master this classic Italian dish and enjoy it regularly.

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