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Creamy Seafood Stuffed Shells

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A cozy and indulgent dinner featuring jumbo pasta shells stuffed with a creamy mixture of shrimp, crab, and cheeses, baked to golden perfection.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 20–25 jumbo pasta shells
  • 8 ounces cooked shrimp, chopped
  • 8 ounces lump crab meat, fresh or canned, drained
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese (whole milk preferred)
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Optional: 1 cup marinara or white sauce (such as light white wine cream sauce) for baking dish

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add jumbo pasta shells and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain carefully in a colander and rinse briefly with cold water. Set aside on a clean towel to dry slightly.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, ricotta, and grated Parmesan. Mix until smooth and creamy. For a silkier texture, beat the cream cheese with a hand mixer.
  3. Gently fold in chopped cooked shrimp, lump crab meat, minced garlic, chopped parsley, dill, and lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. In a small sauté pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add a splash of heavy cream and warm through, stirring gently. Pour this cream mixture into the filling bowl and stir gently to combine.
  5. Using a small spoon or fingers, fill each pasta shell generously with the creamy seafood mixture. Place the stuffed shells in a single layer in a prepared baking dish.
  6. Optionally, spoon 1 cup of marinara or white sauce evenly over the bottom of the baking dish before arranging the shells.
  7. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the stuffed shells.
  8. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cover the baking dish loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is melted and slightly browned.
  9. Let the shells rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Handle pasta shells gently to avoid breaking. Use fresh herbs for brightness. Drain crab meat well to prevent watery filling. Softened cream cheese blends better. Cover dish while baking to keep moist, remove foil at end for golden top. Rest shells 5 minutes before serving. Freshly grated mozzarella melts better than pre-shredded. Can substitute seafood or use dairy-free alternatives as needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: seafood stuffed shells, creamy seafood pasta, shrimp and crab stuffed shells, cozy dinner, baked pasta shells

Find it online: https://cooltastes.com/creamy-seafood-stuffed-shells-recipe-easy-cozy-dinner-idea/