Best 8 Stuffed Shells I Recipes

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Stuffed shells are a classic Italian dish that is perfect for a special occasion or a weeknight meal. They are made with large pasta shells that are filled with a mixture of cheese, meat, and vegetables, then baked in a tomato sauce. The result is a delicious and hearty dish that is sure to please everyone at the table. In this article, we will provide you with a variety of recipes for stuffed shells, so you can find the perfect one to suit your taste. We will also provide tips on how to make the best stuffed shells, so you can be sure that your dish turns out perfectly every time.

Let's cook with our recipes!

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.

STUFFED SHELLS



Stuffed Shells image

Stuffed shells -- pasta with a cheese filling -- freeze beautifully. Baked and bubbly, they are a comfort-food classic, always welcome on the dinner table. You'll need to cook an entire box of shells, since some will break as they boil.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Pasta and Grains

Time 1h15m

Yield Makes 32 (in two 8-by-12-inch dishes)

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 box (12 ounces) jumbo pasta shells
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
4 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 red onion, chopped
1 head radicchio, cored and shredded (4 cups)
1 teaspoon red-wine vinegar
12 ounces fresh ricotta cheese (1 1/4 cups)
8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, chilled and cut into small cubes (1 cup)
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
5 cups favorite tomato sauce
Unsalted butter, for dotting
Garnish: finely grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta shells for 10 minutes. Drain, and rinse. Transfer to a bowl. Drizzle with oil. Let cool.
  • Meanwhile, heat oil in a large high-sided skillet over medium heat. Cook prosciutto, garlic, and onion, stirring, until prosciutto starts to caramelize, 6 to 8 minutes. Add radicchio; cook until tender but not mushy, about 4 minutes. Stir in vinegar; cook until evaporated. Let cool slightly. Stir in ricotta and mozzarella; season with salt and pepper.
  • Pour 2 cups tomato sauce into the bottom of each of two 8-by-12-inch baking dishes. Stuff 32 shells with 1 heaping tablespoon filling each. Pack 16 shells into each dish. Cover with foil. Freeze if desired.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Dot shells with butter. Bake, covered, for 40 minutes. Uncover, and raise oven temperature to 450 degrees. Bake until golden and bubbly, about 15 minutes more. Heat remaining cup tomato sauce; serve with shells. Garnish with Parmesan cheese.

SIMPLE STUFFED SHELLS



Simple Stuffed Shells image

A make-ahead version of an Italian classic, these cooked pasta shells are stuffed with hearty beef, ricotta and mozzarella. Make a double batch and keep one in the freezer for a handy potluck dish.

Provided by By Paula Jones

Categories     Entree

Time 1h30m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 lb ground beef
1 can (28 oz) Muir Glen™ organic diced tomatoes, undrained
Salt and pepper to taste
1 box (12 oz) jumbo pasta shells
2 cups ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8 oz)
1 egg
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves
Additional chopped fresh basil leaves, if desired

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
  • In 2-quart saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add beef. Cook 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is thoroughly cooked. Stir in tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low; cook uncovered about 20 minutes until liquid is reduced.
  • Meanwhile, cook and drain pasta shells as directed on box, using minimum cook time. Rinse with cold water to cool; drain.
  • In medium bowl, mix ricotta cheese, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese, the egg and 2 tablespoons basil.
  • Spoon about 2 cups meat sauce into baking dish. Using small spoon, carefully fill each pasta shell with about 2 tablespoons cheese mixture (do not overfill). Invert shells and place on sauce in baking dish. Spoon remaining meat sauce over shells. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake uncovered about 30 minutes until sauce is bubbly and cheese is melted. Garnish with additional basil.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 680, Carbohydrate 62 g, Cholesterol 125 mg, Fat 1 1/2, Fiber 4 g, Protein 43 g, SaturatedFat 13 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 870 mg, Sugar 6 g, TransFat 1 g

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

STUFFED SHELLS RECIPE BY TASTY



Stuffed Shells Recipe by Tasty image

Stuffed with a garlicky spinach-ricotta-Parmesan mixture, dressed with bright marinara sauce, topped with mozzarella cheese, and baked to golden, melty perfection, these shells are worth staying in for.

Provided by Tasty

Categories     Lunch

Time 55m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for boiling
1 package jumbo shell
1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for greasing
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups fresh spinach, packed
1 container ricotta cheese
10 large eggs
1 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
3 cups marinara sauce, divided
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
fresh basil leaf, for garnish

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the jumbo shells and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the jumbo shells through a colander.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil begins to shimmer, add the garlic and stir until aromatic, about 30 seconds. Add the spinach and cook until just wilted down, about 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat and let the spinach cool to room temperature, then roughly chop on a cutting board.
  • In a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta and egg. Add the chopped spinach, Parmesan, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, the black pepper, and red pepper flakes and stir to combine.
  • Fill the jumbo shells with the ricotta mixture.
  • Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with olive oil. Spread 2 cups of marinara on the bottom of the pan.
  • Arrange the stuffed shells in a single layer over the marinara sauce. Spread the remaining 1 cup of marinara over the shells and top with the mozzarella.
  • Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover the pan and continue baking until the cheese has melted and is golden brown, about 15 minutes.
  • Garnish with the basil and serve immediately.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 497 calories, Carbohydrate 40 grams, Fat 23 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 30 grams, Sugar 4 grams

RICOTTA STUFFED SHELLS



Ricotta Stuffed Shells image

My version of cheesy stuffed shells. I read a few recipes online, (www.cooks.com as well as recipezaar.com) then used a "frankenstein" technique to make them just like my mom does. I made my sauce kinda plain, I'm pregnant and not much for chunky stuff right now. When I'm not so picky, I will add zucchini and chunky stewed tomato. It fed 4 hungry adults and a two year old with about one portion of left overs so I would say it could comfortably feed five adults. As a side note, the sauce is a really great marinara, I have used it for meatball subs too!

Provided by Faitherbee

Categories     Pasta Shells

Time 1h30m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 (12 ounce) box jumbo pasta shells
1/8 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup onion, chopped fine
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (15 ounce) can four cheese tomato sauce
1 tablespoon parsley
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon oregano
8 ounces ricotta cheese
4 ounces mozzarella cheese, grated
1 tablespoon parsley
1 egg

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • For Shells: Boil according to directions on the box. Drain, rinse with cold water. Set them aside.
  • For Sauce: Simmer the onion and garlic together in olive oil. When they are golden, add in the tomato and then spices. Cook for 15 minutes.
  • For Filling: Add all filling ingredients together in a bowl and mix well.
  • Pour half your sauce evenly into the bottom of a 9x13 baking pan. Stuff your closed, undamaged noodles and arrange them in one layer over the pan, opening side down. Pour the rest of the sauce over the top of your noodles, then sprinkle with grated parmesan. Bake covered for 45 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 646.4, Fat 24.5, SaturatedFat 10.8, Cholesterol 108.1, Sodium 860.1, Carbohydrate 78.2, Fiber 4.6, Sugar 9.2, Protein 28.5

STUFFED SHELLS



Stuffed Shells image

Of all the baked pasta dishes, stuffed shells are beloved for good reason: The fluffy ricotta filling, punchy tomato sauce, melted cheese and oversize noodles creates the ultimate comfort food, and the make-ahead aspect is equally compelling. The tomato sauce can be made and refrigerated five days ahead, or you can save time by swapping in three cups of your favorite store-bought marinara sauce. The shells can be assembled a few hours ahead, then baked from the refrigerator an hour before it's time to eat. While some versions add frozen spinach, herbs or lemon, you really don't need anything beyond the basics; this classic version is pure comfort.

Provided by Ali Slagle

Categories     dinner, casseroles, pastas, main course

Time 2h

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
Kosher salt
4 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 (28-ounce) can tomato purée
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 pound fresh ricotta (about 2 cups)
10 ounces fresh mozzarella, grated (about 2 1/2 cups)
5 1/2 ounces Parmesan, finely grated (about 2 cups)
2 egg yolks
1 garlic clove
12 ounces jumbo shells

Steps:

  • Make the sauce: In a large Dutch oven or pot, heat the olive oil over medium. Add the onion and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and tomato paste and cook, stirring frequently, until the paste turns one shade darker, about 2 minutes. Stir in the tomato purée, season with salt, then bring to a simmer. Cover halfway to reduce splattering, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly, 20 to 30 minutes.
  • Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  • Make the filling: In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta with 1 1/2 cups mozzarella, 1 cup Parmesan and the egg yolks. Grate the garlic directly into the bowl, then season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Stir to combine, then set aside.
  • Add the shells to the boiling water and cook until just shy of al dente. (You'll want to cook the shells about 2 minutes less than the minimum time listed on the package, as the shells will continue to cook in the oven in Step 5.) Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to cool. Count out 24 shells. (You will have cooked off more shells than will fit in the dish; that's insurance in case any rip. Reserve extras for another use.)
  • Stir the pasta water into the sauce, then add half the sauce to a 3-quart/9-by-13-inch baking dish and spread it in an even layer. Spoon about 2 tablespoons filling into each of the 24 shells, lining up the stuffed shells in the dish as you go. Spoon the remaining sauce over the shells, then sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup mozzarella and 1 cup Parmesan.
  • Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake, uncovered, until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling, 15 to 20 minutes. (If you'd like to brown the cheese, you can broil for a few minutes.) Let sit 5 minutes, then serve.

Tips:

  • Prepare the shells in advance: To save time, cook and stuff the shells up to a day ahead of time. Then, store them in the refrigerator until you're ready to bake them.
  • Use a variety of cheeses: Don't be afraid to mix and match different types of cheeses to create a unique and flavorful filling. Some good options include ricotta, Parmesan, mozzarella, and Asiago.
  • Add some vegetables: Vegetables like spinach, broccoli, and zucchini are great ways to add nutrients and flavor to your stuffed shells. Sauté them lightly before adding them to the filling.
  • Use a flavorful sauce: The sauce is what really brings stuffed shells together. Choose a sauce that is flavorful and complements the filling. Some good options include marinara sauce, Alfredo sauce, or a simple tomato sauce.
  • Don't overcook the shells: Stuffed shells should be cooked until they are tender but still slightly firm. Overcooking will make them mushy.

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, a special occasion, or even a potluck. With so many different variations to choose from, there is sure to be a recipe that everyone will love.

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