The Ultimate Guide to Making Stuffed Shells: From Basic Recipe to Vegetarian Options

Introduction

If you’re looking for a hearty and delicious pasta dish that will satisfy the whole family, stuffed shells are a great choice. These large pasta shells are filled with cheeses, meats, and other flavorful ingredients and baked to perfection. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced cook, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know to make the perfect stuffed shells.

Beginner’s Guide to Making Stuffed Shells

The basic recipe for stuffed shells is simple: cook the pasta shells, mix the filling ingredients together, fill the shells, top with sauce and cheese, and bake. However, there are some tips and tricks to make this process even easier. For example:

• Cook the shells al dente – they will continue to cook in the oven
• Use a piping bag or Ziploc bag with the corner cut off to easily fill the shells
• Add a little water to the baking dish to prevent the shells from sticking

Check out some helpful step-by-step images to guide you through this simple process:

5 Creative Stuffed Shells Recipes to Try

Once you’ve mastered the basic stuffed shell recipe, it’s time to get creative. Here are five delicious and unique stuffed shell recipes to try:

1. Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells

This vegetarian-friendly recipe is packed with flavor. The filling is made with spinach, ricotta, parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses, and a touch of garlic. Serve it with a side salad and garlic bread for a complete meal.

Ingredients:

• 20 jumbo pasta shells
• 10 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
• 15 oz ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 cups of your favorite marinara sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C), then cook the pasta shells according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a bowl, combine the spinach, ricotta, parmesan, egg, garlic, salt, and pepper.
3. Fill each shell with the cheese and spinach mixture and place in a baking dish.
4. Top with your choice of marinara sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese.
5. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

2. Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells

This recipe combines the best of both worlds: creamy alfredo sauce and savory chicken. Serve it with a side of garlic bread and steamed veggies for a well-balanced meal.

Ingredients:

• 20 jumbo pasta shells
• 1 lb cooked and shredded chicken
• 15 oz ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 cups of your favorite Alfredo sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C), then cook the pasta shells according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a bowl, combine the chicken, ricotta, parmesan, egg, salt, and pepper.
3. Fill each shell with the chicken and cheese mixture and place in a baking dish.
4. Top with Alfredo sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese.
5. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

3. Taco Stuffed Shells

If you’re a fan of Mexican flavors, this recipe is for you. With seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and crispy shells, these stuffed shells offer a fun twist on taco night.

Ingredients:

• 20 jumbo pasta shells
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup salsa
• 1/4 cup sour cream

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C), then cook the pasta shells according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a skillet, brown the ground beef and add the taco seasoning. Cook until the meat is no longer pink.
3. Fill each shell with the beef mixture and place in a baking dish.
4. Top with salsa and shredded cheddar cheese.
5. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Drizzle with sour cream before serving.

4. Lobster Stuffed Shells

If you’re looking for a more sophisticated stuffed shell recipe, try this one featuring decadent lobster. Serve it with a side salad and a glass of white wine for a fancy dinner party entrée.

Ingredients:

• 20 jumbo pasta shells
• 1 lb cooked lobster meat
• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C), then cook the pasta shells according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a skillet, melt the butter and sauté the garlic for a minute or two. Add the lobster meat and cook until heated through.
3. In a bowl, combine the ricotta, parmesan, heavy cream, white wine, salt, and pepper.
4. Fill each shell with the lobster mixture and place in a baking dish.
5. Top with the cream sauce.
6. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the sauce is bubbly.

5. Pizza Stuffed Shells

If you’re craving pizza but want to switch things up, try these pizza-flavored stuffed shells. Serve them with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.

Ingredients:

• 20 jumbo pasta shells
• 1 lb ground Italian sausage
• 1/2 cup pepperoni, chopped
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup pizza sauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C), then cook the pasta shells according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a skillet, brown the Italian sausage and add the chopped pepperoni. Cook until the sausage is no longer pink.
3. Fill each shell with the sausage mixture and place in a baking dish.
4. Top with pizza sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese.
5. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Making Stuffed Shells Healthier

Stuffed shells don’t have to be a high-calorie, high-fat meal. With a few simple swaps and substitutions, you can reduce the calorie and fat content and still enjoy the deliciousness.

• Use part-skim ricotta cheese instead of full-fat ricotta
• Use lean ground turkey or chicken in place of beef
• Add veggies like chopped spinach, kale, or broccoli to the filling mixture
• Use whole wheat pasta shells instead of regular pasta shells for added fiber
• Use less cheese or opt for reduced-fat cheese

With these simple swaps, you can customize stuffed shells to meet your dietary needs and preferences.

The Secret to Perfectly Stuffed Shells

The secret to perfectly stuffed shells lies in properly filling and baking them. Here are a few tips:

• Fill each shell generously but not so much that they burst during baking
• Place the filled shells in a baking dish with just enough sauce to cover the bottom of the dish
• Cover the baking dish with foil to prevent the cheese from burning, removing it during the final 10-15 minutes of baking to allow the cheese to brown and bubble
• Don’t overcook the shells in boiling water as they will continue to cook in the oven

With these tips, you can create a delicious and impressive stuffed shell dish every time.

Stuffed Shells for Meal Prep

Stuffed shells make a great meal prep dish as they can be made in advance and stored for several days or frozen for future meals. Here’s how to do it:

• Prepare the stuffed shells according to recipe instructions, stopping before baking
• Cool the shells and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and foil
• Store in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months
• To reheat, thaw frozen shells in the fridge before baking at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes, until heated through

With stuffed shells prepped and ready to go, dinner is only 30 minutes away.

Stuffed Shells for Vegetarians

For vegetarians, stuffed shells are an easy way to get a hearty and flavorful meal without meat. Here are a few vegetarian stuffed shell recipes to try:

1. Butternut Squash and Sage Stuffed Shells

This vegetarian recipe is perfect for fall. The filling is made with roasted butternut squash, ricotta cheese, and fresh sage. Serve it with a side salad and crusty bread for a complete meal.

2. Eggplant Parmesan Stuffed Shells

This recipe combines the flavors of eggplant parmesan with stuffed shells for a hearty and delicious meal. The filling is made with roasted eggplant, ricotta cheese, and parmesan cheese, topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.

3. Pesto and Sun-Dried Tomato Stuffed Shells

This recipe is bursting with Italian flavors. The filling is made with a combination of pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, and ricotta cheese. Serve it with a side of garlic bread and a glass of red wine.

Conclusion

Stuffed shells are a crowd-pleasing meal that can be customized to meet your taste and dietary preferences. From classic cheese and meat fillings to unique vegetarian options, there’s a stuffed shell recipe for everyone. With a few simple tips and tricks, you can make the perfect stuffed shells every time.

In summary, this guide covered the basic recipe for making stuffed shells, along with useful tips for beginners. It also shared five creative stuffed shell recipes to try, as well as helpful suggestions for making stuffed shells healthier. The guide revealed the secret to perfectly stuffed shells and covered how to make stuffed shells for meal prep. Finally, it offered vegetarian stuffed shell recipes and ended with advice and tips for making delicious stuffed shells.