Do you want to learn more about recipes with stuffed shells? On a cold evening, when you’re in the need for some comfort food, stuffed shells are an excellent dish to cook. Shells with fillings are a well-liked meal that can be prepared quickly while yet managing to look stunning and tasty.
Recipes with stuffed shells provide an alternative that is both gorgeous and appealing and can be used for a range of different situations. They are versatile enough to be the main entrée for any event, or they may simply be served as a side dish to round out the opulent flavor. The nature of filled shells lends them a degree of versatility, and the possible ingredient combinations for stuffed shells are almost limitless. If you want to make low calorie stuffed shells, look for ingredients with low calorie contents, if you are a vegan find other alternatives for the meat. Find out the recipes with stuffed shells below.
Table of Contents
10 Recipes with stuffed shells
Recipes with stuffed shells: Stuffed Shells with Spinach
The enchantment of freshly grated nutmeg is particularly noticeable in dairy dishes, making filled shells an ideal use for this unique spice. Both Parmesan and Pecorino cheeses are tasty and are available for selection. If you like to substitute mozzarella with Fontina or caciocavallo, it is your choice and this is one of the recipes with stuffed shells.
Recipes with stuffed shells: Ravioli Shakshuka
In traditional shakshuka, runny eggs are cooked in a warmly spiced tomato sauce, but in our variation, we substituted ravioli for the eggs, and this this is one of the recipes with stuffed shells is just as fulfilling. It’s the ideal option for supper, and honestly, the pasta is much simpler than worrying about the egg’s consistency. Serve it with some crusty bread to sop up the sauce, and you’ll have the coziest weeknight meal ready in under thirty minutes.
Recipes with stuffed shells: Cheese Manicotti
This manicotti is the quintessence of comfort cuisine. This is one of the this is one of the recipes with stuffed shells. When desiring cheese and carbohydrates, there is nothing better. If you have this urge but are looking for something a little lighter, try our zucchini manicotti! No pasta is involved.
Recipes with stuffed shells: Sweet Potato & Caramelized Onion Shells
Gorgonzola cheese and sweet potatoes give traditional filled shells an unique and savory variation. The spaghetti is delicious with a sprinkling of Parmesan and may also be topped with leftover sauce.
Recipes with stuffed shells: Cheese-Stuffed Jumbo Shells
Using five cheeses in a single dish does not often result in a dish that is considered light, but this vegetarian recipe proves that it is possible to do so with excellent success and taste! The shells freeze well, making it simple to keep leftovers for another fast supper when time is of the essence.
Recipes with stuffed shells: Spanakopita Stuffed Shells
It is always exciting to combine two staples of different cuisines to create something entirely original and wonderful. After tasting this dish, you will know that spanakopita and filled shells were destined to be together.
Recipes with stuffed shells: Pumpkin Ravioli
These raviolis are neither fast nor simple, but they are SO wonderful. Give yourself an afternoon to prepare them, or make the pasta dough the night before so that you’ve already accomplished half the labor!
Recipes with stuffed shells: Air Fryer Ravioli
These small air fryer ravioli, which are crisp on the surface and cheese on the inside, resemble a somewhat more refined mozzarella stick. Due to the unique design of the air fryer, it is possible to get the pleasantly crispy, poppable texture of toasted ravioli without using oil. The crunchiness of the coating is achieved by dipping the pasta in an egg-milk mixture before rolling it in parmesan and bread crumbs. Dipped in pesto, the product is difficult to put down.
Recipes with stuffed shells: Tuscan Tortellini Salad
The only pasta salad we bring to potlucks is this simple tortellini salad. It is fast and uncomplicated, with a homemade vinaigrette that distinguishes it from the sea of macaroni salads.
Recipes with stuffed shells: Chicken Parm Stuffed Shells
Combining chicken Parmesan with filled shells is a stroke of brilliance as a dinner entree, but it also makes a fantastic appetizer when served on a toothpick.
How to make stuffed shells ingredients
The quality of this recipe for filled shells, like that of any other Italian meal, is contingent on the quality of the components that go into it. First and foremost, we strongly recommend that you make your own tomato sauce using fire-roasted tomatoes. You could use marinara that you bought, but making your own tomato sauce will bring out all of the flavors!
- Big shells of pasta
- Fire-roasted tomato puree (or substitute purchased marinara sauce)
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Salt with dried oregano
- Frozen spinach
- Ricotta cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Whole milk mozzarella cheese
- Lemon zest
- Lemon zest
- As a garnish, parsley
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius).
- Pour water into a big saucepan, sprinkle in some salt, and then bring the water to a boil over high heat. After adding the shells, continue to simmer them for another 10 minutes, or until they are soft enough to be readily penetrated with a fork but are not overdone. Before you pack them, you should first drain them in a colander and lay them aside for a few minutes so that they may get somewhat less hot.
- While the shells are cooking, prepare the sauce by combining the following: Melt the butter or olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat; add the garlic cloves (if using fresh), onion slices, diced tomatoes (drained if canned), and bell pepper slices; season with salt and pepper; cook until the vegetables are softened, approximately 5 minutes; stir in the parsley; remove the pan from the heat; set it aside until it is ready to be used.
- Once the shells have cooled down a little bit but are still warm enough to be readily handled without excessively burning your fingers, fill each shell with about one teaspoon of ricotta cheese or cottage cheese.
Tips and Tricks in making recipes with stuffed shells:
- When making the tomato sauce, use fire-roasted tomatoes instead of regular ones. The most delicious flavor comes from fire-roasted tomatoes, which have a sweet and smokey taste straight out of the can. If you are unable to obtain them, you may substitute tomatoes of the highest quality and season them with smoked paprika and sugar in the same amounts.
- In the case that you decide to use marinara that you bought, be sure to include the garlic and oregano in the recipe. This helps to infuse the store-bought sauce with the taste of homemade sauce.
- Whole milk mozzarella cheese makes a difference. This sort of cheese has a more robust taste and melts much more easily than half skim varieties. When heated, it also has a stronger ability to melt.
How to bake baked stuffed shells
- Set the oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cook the pasta in a large pot according to the directions on the box, then drain the cooked pasta.
- Combine the ricotta and eggs in a large saucepan and whisk constantly over medium heat until the mixture is completely smooth. Add the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon of onion powder, and 1/8 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes and mix until thoroughly incorporated. Add the remaining 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan.
- Add the spinach and toss it until it is totally wilted. After that, add the basil leaves and combine everything together until everything is uniformly distributed throughout the mixture. Put to the side for a moment while you boil your shells in accordance with the directions on the box. After thoroughly draining the filling, assemble your shells by placing an equal quantity of the filling in each one.
- Place each shell on a baking sheet that is 8 inches by 10 inches and is lined with parchment paper or foil. Spoon between one and two tablespoons of sauce into each shell. Top each shell with two tablespoons of mozzarella cheese. Bake for twenty minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbling around the edges of the shell.
Stuffed pasta shells
The preparation of stuffed pasta shells is a scrumptious and uncomplicated method that results in a dish that is certain to be well received. Pasta dough is used to fashion the actual shell, and one may either purchase it pre-made or prepare it on their own. After you have packed your shells with your preferred filling, cover them with sauce and place them in the oven for around twenty minutes.
If you’re searching for something that will satisfy your hunger for longer, one option is to make filled shells with ricotta cheese, mushrooms, spinach, and garlic. Or are you maybe looking for something that is vegetarian? You can make this dish more tastier by using tomato, spinach, and feta cheese in the mix.
FAQs
What can you serve with stuffed shells?
Although there are many other sauces that go well with stuffed shells, marinara is by far the most popular option. Alfredo sauce or even simply butter that has been melted are two more common possibilities. There is also the option of serving filled shells with pasta salad or bread and butter as a side dish.
How are you supposed to eat stuffed shells?
When eating stuffed shells, you should begin by cracking open the outer shell, and then go on to slicing the interior shell into bite-sized pieces. After that, the shells may be dipped into the sauce and eaten that way, or they can be eaten with a fork.
Do you have to thaw frozen stuffed shells before baking?
Yes, the shells will cook more evenly and won’t get soggy on the interior if they are thawed beforehand, which is why you should do that. In addition to this, it will guarantee that they will cook properly in the oven.
What is the difference between manicotti and stuffed shells?
Both of these things are shells made of pasta, but each one has a unique filling. Both manicotti and filled shells may be stuffed with either a meat or cheese combination. Ricotta cheese is traditionally used to stuff manicotti. They are identical in size and form, with the exception that manicotti are often bigger than filled shells.
Conclusion
There are a lot of various ways that stuffed shells may be cooked. There are many different ways to make stuffed shells, and the instructions that are presented in this article are only one of them. When you are cooking, it is preferable to apply your own ideas and originality rather than following a recipe exactly. Experiment with the components of the dish, and put together unique and interesting meals by putting together various kinds of foods in different ways.
Using this recipe is an excellent approach to guarantee that you are receiving all of the essential nutrients that are required to keep up a healthy lifestyle. For example, the protein included in the cheese and the spinach will prevent you from being hungry too soon while also supplying the essential nutrients that your body needs. Because of the veggies, this recipe calls for very little sugar, but you are welcome to add more if you would want the end result to have a more fruity flavor.