Description
Seafood stuffed shells bring Mediterranean coastal charm to dinner tables with luxurious ricotta and succulent seafood. Creamy cheese and delicate shellfish create a harmonious blend that promises an elegant culinary experience you won’t forget.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood
- 1/2 lb shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped
- 1/2 lb lump crab meat
Cheese and Dairy
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella (for topping)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan (for topping)
- 1 egg, beaten
Additional Ingredients and Seasonings
- 20 jumbo pasta shells, cooked al dente
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups Alfredo sauce
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375°F and lightly coat a baking dish with olive oil for a smooth, non-stick surface.
- Sizzle garlic in a skillet until fragrant, then quickly cook shrimp until they transform to a vibrant pink hue.
- Create a luxurious seafood filling by blending ricotta, cream cheese, mozzarella, and Parmesan with a beaten egg, incorporating fresh parsley, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Gently fold the sautéed shrimp and delicate crab pieces into the creamy cheese mixture, ensuring an even distribution of seafood.
- Carefully stuff each cooked pasta shell with the rich seafood mixture, nestling them snugly in the prepared baking dish.
- Lavishly drench the stuffed shells with velvety Alfredo sauce, then generously sprinkle additional mozzarella and Parmesan across the top.
- Shield the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes, then unveil and continue baking until the cheese melts into a golden, bubbling masterpiece.
- Finish by scattering fresh parsley over the shells and serve immediately while the dish is piping hot and irresistibly aromatic.
Notes
- Prevent seafood from overcooking by removing from heat immediately when turning pink to maintain tender, juicy texture.
- Use frozen seafood option by thawing completely and patting dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture before cooking.
- Swap regular shells for gluten-free pasta shells to create a celiac-friendly version of this decadent dish.
- Add red pepper flakes or cayenne for extra heat if you prefer a spicier seafood stuffed shell experience.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 564
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1035 mg
- Fat: 31 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 179 mg