Best 9 Giant Stuffed Pasta Shells Recipes

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Giant stuffed pasta shells are a delicious and hearty meal that can be prepared in a variety of ways. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner or a show-stopping dish for a special occasion, there's a giant stuffed pasta shell recipe out there to suit your needs. With so many different fillings, sauces, and toppings to choose from, the possibilities are endless. In this article, we'll explore some of the best giant stuffed pasta shell recipes out there, so you can find the perfect one for your next meal.

Here are our top 9 tried and tested recipes!

STUFFED PASTA SHELLS



Stuffed Pasta Shells image

These savory shells never fail to make a big impression, even though the recipe is very easy. One or two of these shells makes a great individual serving at a potluck, so a single batch goes a long way. -Jena Coffey, St. Louis, Missouri

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 45m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 6

4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 carton (15 ounces) ricotta cheese
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 package (12 ounces) jumbo pasta shells, cooked and drained
3-1/2 cups spaghetti sauce
Grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Combine cheeses and spinach; stuff into shells. Arrange in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Pour spaghetti sauce over the shells. Cover and bake until heated through, about 30 minutes. If desired, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese after baking.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 314 calories, Fat 13g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 44mg cholesterol, Sodium 576mg sodium, Carbohydrate 32g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 18g protein.

STUFFED GIANT PASTA SHELLS



Stuffed Giant Pasta Shells image

Giant pasta shells are stuffed with a delicious egg and ricotta cheese mixture topped with a tomato sauce. Enjoy with grated Parmesan cheese and get ready to serve seconds!

Time 35m

Yield Serves: 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

6 eggs
1 1/2 cup ( 375 mL ) light ricotta cheese
⅓ cup ( 75 mL ) grated Parmesan cheese
⅓ cup ( 75 mL ) chopped fresh parsley
¼ tsp ( 1.25 mL ) pepper
12 jumbo pasta shells, cooked and drained
2 cups ( 500 mL ) tomato or pasta sauce

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
  • Whisk eggs in medium bowl. Whisk in ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, parsley and pepper. Fill pasta shells with equal amount of egg mixture.
  • Spread ½ cup (125 mL) tomato sauce in 9 inch (23 cm) square baking dish. Arrange stuffed shells in single layer on sauce. Pour remaining sauce over stuffed shells. Cover with foil.
  • Bake in preheated 350°F (180°C) oven until hot and bubbly, about 20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts :

STUFFED JUMBO PASTA SHELLS



Stuffed Jumbo Pasta Shells image

This is an extremely easy recipe for one of my favorite meatless Italian meals. You can use this as a basis for many other wonderful, delicious meals. Add your own ground Italian sausage right in with the cheese mixture. Choose your own sauce, or any one of the delicious onee on the shelf of your supermarket. You'll love this, and your own touches will make it special! Note**: Add the salt to the water in which you will cook the pasta only AFTER the water has come to a boil. If you add it to the water before it boils, it will hinder the boiling process.

Provided by FLUFFSTER

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 1h35m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 lbs ricotta cheese (you may use cottage cheese, same amount)
1/2 lb mozzarella cheese, grated
2 eggs
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1 -2 tablespoon dried Italian spices (to taste)
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped, extra for garnish, if desired
fresh basil, torn into small pieces, if desired
16 ounces jumbo pasta shells

Steps:

  • Prepare shells by adding them to a large pot of boiling, salted water** for approximately 15 minutes. They will cook more when you place them in the oven, so don't over cook them).Drain, but don't rinse.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Prepare cheese filling:.
  • Beat the eggs; add ricotta, Mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese; mix in seasonings, including fresh basil if using.
  • Using a large casserole dish, beginning with sauce, layer the cheese-filled shells, then more sauce, ending with the sauce.
  • Bake 45 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and the casserole is heated through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1080.3, Fat 50, SaturatedFat 29.6, Cholesterol 277.6, Sodium 779.1, Carbohydrate 94.1, Fiber 3.7, Sugar 3.5, Protein 61

GIANT STUFFED PASTA SHELLS



Giant Stuffed Pasta Shells image

Yummy and easy shells, stuffed with garlic, thyme, mushrooms, and spinach ricotta. Perfect for a weeknight dinner! Add more cheese or any kind of meat! A lamb/pork mixture is really good; get a nice sear on it and add it to the spinach and mushroom (sans ricotta) maybe some goat cheese? Have fun with it!

Provided by jndeans

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Stuffed Main Dish Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 13

24 lumaconi pasta shells
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 (8 ounce) package button mushrooms, chopped
3 cloves garlic
1 (10 ounce) bag baby spinach
2 teaspoons ground thyme
salt and ground black pepper, to taste
2 cups ricotta cheese
¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 (28 ounce) jar pasta sauce
¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta shells in boiling water, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir mushrooms and garlic in hot oil until mushrooms are soft, about 7 minutes. Stir spinach and thyme into the mushroom mixture; season with salt and pepper. Cook and stir the mixture until the spinach wilts. Remove the skillet from heat and drain any excess liquid; transfer drained mixture to a large bowl.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • Mix ricotta cheese, 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese, and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese with the spinach mixture; season again with salt and pepper and stuff into pasta shells.
  • Arrange stuffed shells into a 9x11-inch baking dish. Pour pasta sauce over the shells; top with 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
  • Bake in preheated oven until the cheese is melted and the shells are hot, about 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 433.9 calories, Carbohydrate 51 g, Cholesterol 22.1 mg, Fat 17.6 g, Fiber 6.2 g, Protein 18.6 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Sodium 834.5 mg, Sugar 13.6 g

STUFFED SHELLS



Stuffed Shells image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

Kosher salt
8 ounces jumbo pasta shells
30 ounces whole-milk ricotta cheese
1/2 cup grated Romano cheese
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
12 leaves fresh basil, cut into chiffonade
1 large egg
Freshly ground black pepper
8 ounces Parmesan, grated
2 jars good-quality marinara sauce
8 ounces mozzarella cheese, grated
Crusty French bread, for serving

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta shells and cook for half the cooking time on the package; make sure not to overcook. Drain and rinse in cool water. Set aside.
  • In a bowl, mix together the ricotta, Romano, parsley, basil, egg, some salt and pepper and half of the Parmesan. Stir until combined.
  • To assemble, coat the bottom of a baking dish with some sauce. Fill each half-cooked shell with the cheese mixture and place face-down on the sauce. Repeat with the shells until the cheese mixture is gone. Top the shells with the remaining sauce. Sprinkle on the mozzarella and extra Parmesan.
  • Bake until hot and bubbly, 25 minutes. Serve with crusty French bread.

TACO STUFFED PASTA SHELLS



Taco Stuffed Pasta Shells image

Here's a kid-friendly dish so flavorful and fun, nobody is likely to guess that it's also lower in fat. It's a great family supper for busy weeknights! -Anne Thomsen, Westchester, Ohio

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 50m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 7

18 uncooked jumbo pasta shells
1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean)
2 teaspoons chili powder
3 ounces fat-free cream cheese, cubed
1 bottle (16 ounces) taco sauce, divided
3/4 cup shredded reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend, divided
20 baked tortilla chip scoops, coarsely crushed

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water; drain again., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook and crumble beef over medium-high heat until no longer pink, 6-8 minutes. Stir in chili powder, cream cheese and 1/2 cup taco sauce until blended. Stir in 1/4 cup shredded cheese., Spoon about 2 tablespoons filling into each shell. Place in an 11x7-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top with remaining taco sauce., Bake, covered, until heated through, 20-25 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cheese; bake, uncovered, until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with chips., 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 as directed, increasing time as necessary to heat through and for a thermometer inserted in center to read 165°. Top with cheese and chips as directed.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 384 calories, Fat 13g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 67mg cholesterol, Sodium 665mg sodium, Carbohydrate 33g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 33g protein.

STUFFED GIANT SHELLS



Stuffed Giant Shells image

This is another recipe that I have baked over the years that I cannot remember where the recipe came from. This one is different as it isn't overloaded with cheeses.

Provided by happynana

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 1h30m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 lb ground round
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 large onion, chopped
8 ounces mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 egg
salt and pepper
18 pasta shells, cooked (giant size)
2 (15 ounce) spaghetti sauce (or use your own)
1/3 cup red wine
parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Brown beef, onion, and garlic. Drain. Let it cool a bit.
  • Stir in mozzarella cheese, cumbs, parlsey and egg. Mix well. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Stuff cooked shells with meat mixture.
  • Spray 13 x 9 x 2 pan with Pam. Spoon 1/4 of sauce on bottom of pan.
  • Place shells on top of sauce, side by side.
  • Mix wine with remaining sauce.
  • Pour over shells.
  • Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
  • Bake 20 to 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 444, Fat 27, SaturatedFat 11.7, Cholesterol 116.1, Sodium 683.8, Carbohydrate 21.3, Fiber 2.9, Sugar 8.9, Protein 25.4

STUFFED PASTA BAKE BOLOGNESE



Stuffed pasta bake bolognese image

Combine two favourites - bolognese and stuffed pasta shells - to make the ultimate pasta bake. Serve bubbling from the oven for true comfort food

Provided by Good Food team

Categories     Dinner, Main course, Pasta

Time 2h30m

Number Of Ingredients 18

250g large pasta shells or conchiglioni
200g mascarpone
2 x 125g balls mozzarella , drained and finely chopped
large bunch basil , roughly chopped, plus a few whole leaves to serve
3 garlic cloves , crushed
parmesan , to serve
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion , finely diced
1 celery stick , finely diced
1 carrot , finely diced
400g beef mince
2 garlic cloves , crushed
250ml red wine
1 tbsp tomato purée
3 bay leaves
2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes
pinch of sugar
1-2 tsp balsamic vinegar

Steps:

  • To make the bolognese, heat the oil in a wide ovenproof pan over a medium heat. Fry the onion, celery and carrot with some seasoning for 20 mins until soft and lightly golden. Tip in the beef mince, turn up the heat and fry, stirring regularly, for another 10 mins until the mince browns. Add the garlic, fry for a minute, then pour in the wine and bubble for a few mins more, scraping the pan to release any bits. Stir through the purée, bay leaves and tomatoes, with a canful of water. Simmer for 1½ hrs, covered for the first hour, then remove the lid and bubble until the tomatoes have broken down. Season with salt, pepper, the sugar and balsamic vinegar.
  • Tip the pasta shells into a large heatproof bowl with a pinch of salt, and pour over a kettle of boiled water. Cover and leave to soften for 15-20 mins - they need to retain some firmness so you can fill them.
  • Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 4 and drain the pasta. Use a fork to mash the mascarpone with the mozzarella, chopped basil, garlic and some black pepper in a bowl.
  • The bolognese should be a little wetter than you'd like as the pasta shells will absorb some of the liquid as it bakes. Remove from the heat, giving it a final stir. Using a teaspoon, fill the pasta shells with some of the mascarpone mixture, pressing the mix in with your index finger. Nestle the shells into the sauce, filled-side up. Bake for 20-30 mins until the top is golden and bubbling, and the pasta is tender. Grate over some parmesan and finish with a few basil leaves.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 630 calories, Fat 37 grams fat, SaturatedFat 21 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 34 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 10 grams sugar, Fiber 4 grams fiber, Protein 30 grams protein, Sodium 0.7 milligram of sodium

ITALIAN SAUSAGE STUFFED SHELLS



Italian Sausage Stuffed Shells image

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

1 (16 ounce) package jumbo pasta shells
3 teaspoons vegetable oil, divided
1 pound bulk Italian sausage
1 (16 ounce) package finely shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, plus more for garnish if desired
1 (24 ounce) jar prepared marinara sauce

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

Tips:

  • Choose the right pasta shells: Jumbo pasta shells or conchiglie are the best choice for this recipe. They are large enough to hold a generous amount of filling and cook evenly.
  • Cook the pasta shells al dente: This means cooking them until they are just tender but still have a slight bite to them. Overcooked pasta shells will be mushy and difficult to stuff.
  • Use a variety of fillings: The filling for your giant stuffed pasta shells is endless. Some popular options include ricotta cheese, spinach, ground beef, sausage, vegetables, and herbs. Get creative and experiment with different flavors and textures.
  • Don't overstuff the pasta shells: Otherwise, they will become difficult to close and may burst open during cooking. Fill the shells just until they are plump, but not so much that they are overflowing.
  • Bake the pasta shells in a flavorful sauce: This will help to keep them moist and prevent them from drying out. You can use a simple tomato sauce, a creamy Alfredo sauce, or a hearty meat sauce.

Conclusion:

Giant stuffed pasta shells are a delicious and versatile dish that can be customized to your liking. With a little planning and effort, you can create a meal that is both impressive and satisfying. So next time you are looking for a special dish to serve your family and friends, give giant stuffed pasta shells a try. You won't be disappointed!

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