Indulge in the creamy, savory delight of these Seafood Stuffed Shells! Jumbo pasta shells filled with a rich blend of shrimp, imitation crab, and ricotta, smothered in a creamy Alfredo sauce, and topped with a crispy breadcrumb mixture. This dish is perfect for special occasions or any time you want to treat yourself to something truly delicious. Get ready to impress your guests with this elegant and flavorful meal!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich and Creamy: The combination of ricotta and Alfredo sauce creates a decadent and satisfying dish.
- Seafood Lover’s Dream: Packed with shrimp and imitation crab for a delightful seafood experience.
- Impressive Presentation: Stuffed shells make for a beautiful and elegant dish.
- Comfort Food with a Twist: A classic comfort food elevated with a seafood twist.
Ingredients
- Jumbo Pasta Shells: The base of the dish, providing a perfect vessel for the filling.
- Cooked Shrimp: Adds a sweet, delicate seafood flavor.
- Imitation Crab: Provides a mild, sweet, and slightly briny flavor.
- Ricotta Cheese: Adds a creamy, slightly tangy base to the filling.
- Large Egg: Binds the filling ingredients together.
- Old Bay Seasoning: Adds a savory, slightly spicy seafood flavor.
- Italian Seasoning: Provides a blend of aromatic herbs.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds a tangy, sharp flavor.
- Salt and Pepper: Enhances the overall flavor of the filling and sauce.
- Alfredo Sauce: Creates a creamy, rich sauce base.
- Heavy Cream: Adds extra creaminess and richness to the sauce.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty, and savory flavor to the sauce and topping.
- Italian Bread Crumbs: Provides a crispy, golden-brown topping.
- Melted Butter: Adds richness and helps bind the crumb topping.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Seafood Stuffed Shells
Step 1: Prepare the Shells
Preheat oven to 350°F. Cook pasta shells until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Make the Filling
Combine ricotta, egg, Old Bay seasoning, Italian seasoning, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Fold in shrimp and imitation crab.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
Whisk together Alfredo sauce, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Pour some sauce into the baking dish.
Step 4: Stuff the Shells
Fill each shell with about 2 tablespoons of the filling. Place in the baking dish.
Step 5: Top and Bake
Pour remaining sauce over the shells. Combine bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, melted butter, and Old Bay seasoning. Sprinkle over the shells. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
Step 6: Rest and Serve
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Cook Shells Al Dente: Prevent mushy shells by cooking them until just tender.
- Use Quality Seafood: Opt for fresh or high-quality frozen shrimp and imitation crab for the best flavor.
- Don’t Overfill the Shells: Fill the shells evenly to ensure they cook properly.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste and adjust the seasoning of the filling and sauce to your preference.
How to Serve Seafood Stuffed Shells
- Side Dish: Serve with a side of garlic bread, a simple green salad, or roasted vegetables.
- Garnish: Garnish with fresh parsley or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
- Wine Pairing: Pair with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating
Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through. Add a splash of cream if the sauce has thickened too much.
Freezing
Freeze the assembled but unbaked shells in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different type of seafood?
Yes, you can use other seafood like cooked scallops, lobster, or lump crab meat.
2. Can I use a different type of cheese?
Yes, you can use other cheeses like mozzarella, Gruyère, or Pecorino Romano.
3. Can I make this dish without imitation crab?
Yes, you can use all shrimp or another type of seafood.
4. Can I add vegetables to this dish?
Absolutely! Add vegetables like spinach, peas, or mushrooms to the filling or sauce.
Print
Seafood Stuffed Shells Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
These Seafood Stuffed Shells are a delightful and elegant dish, perfect for seafood lovers. Jumbo pasta shells are filled with a creamy mixture of shrimp, imitation crab, and ricotta cheese, then smothered in a rich Alfredo sauce and topped with a crispy breadcrumb topping. It’s a comforting and impressive meal that’s perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Filling:
- 12 ounces jumbo pasta shells
- 1 pound small cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined, thawed if frozen
- 1 pound imitation crab, diced or shredded
- 1 (15-ounce) container ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Sauce:
- 1 (15-ounce) jar Alfredo sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Crumb Topping:
- 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Shells: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Cook the 12 ounces jumbo pasta shells according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make Filling: In a large bowl, mix the 1 (15-ounce) container ricotta cheese, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. Fold in the 1 pound small cooked shrimp and 1 pound imitation crab.
- Make Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the 1 (15-ounce) jar Alfredo sauce, 1 cup heavy cream, ½ cup grated parmesan cheese, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper to taste. Pour about ½ cup of the sauce into the bottom of the baking dish.
- Fill Shells: Take one shell in hand and stuff it with about 2 tablespoons of the filling mixture. Place the stuffed shells open-side up in the sauce-lined baking dish. Continue until the filling has been used and the dish has been filled.
- Pour Remaining Sauce: Pour the rest of the sauce over the stuffed shells.
- Make Crumb Topping: In a small bowl, whisk together the ½ cup Italian bread crumbs, ½ cup grated parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons melted butter, and 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning.
- Add Crumb Topping: Sprinkle the crumb topping over the sauce-covered shells.
- Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the shells are heated through and the topping is browned.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can use other types of seafood, such as scallops or lobster.
- For a spicier dish, add red pepper flakes to the sauce or filling.
- Use fresh herbs like parsley or basil for added flavor.
- If you don’t have Italian bread crumbs, you can use regular bread crumbs with added Italian seasoning.
- You can make this dish ahead of time and refrigerate it before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 550kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 180mg
