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Creamy Seafood Stuffed Shells

Jumbo pasta shells overflowing with a rich, velvety blend of ricotta, cream cheese, shrimp, and crab, baked to golden perfection.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American, Seafood
Calories: 580

Ingredients
  

Pasta & Sauce
  • 12 oz jumbo pasta shells
  • 1.5 cups Alfredo sauce
Seafood & Filling
  • 1 lb medium shrimp peeled, deveined, chopped (reserve a few whole for topping)
  • 8 oz lump crab meat picked over
  • 15 oz whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
  • 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 0.25 cup fresh parsley chopped, plus extra for garnish
  • 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper

Equipment

  • Large stockpot
  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Skillet

Method
 

  1. Boil jumbo shells in salted water for 1-2 minutes less than package directions for al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
  2. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté garlic for 30 seconds, add chopped shrimp, and cook until pink (2-3 mins). Remove from heat and gently fold in crab meat.
  3. In a large bowl, mix ricotta, cream cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, parsley, Old Bay, salt, and pepper until smooth.
  4. Gently fold the cooled seafood mixture into the cheese filling.
  5. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread 1/2 cup of Alfredo sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  6. Stuff each cooked shell with about 1-1.5 tablespoons of the seafood filling and arrange in the baking dish.
  7. Pour the remaining Alfredo sauce over the shells, top with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella, and place reserved whole shrimp on top.
  8. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10-15 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly. Garnish with parsley and serve.

Notes

Do not overcook the pasta during the boiling stage, as it will continue to cook in the oven and may tear while stuffing.