Savory Seafood Stuffed Shells Recipe: Ocean’s Bounty Pasta

Comfort meets luxury in this seafood delight stuffed shells recipe that promises a restaurant-quality meal right from your kitchen.

Creamy ricotta and tender seafood blend seamlessly inside delicate pasta shells, creating a dish that whispers elegance.

Each shell bursts with succulent shrimp and delicate crab, nestled in a rich, velvety sauce that dances on your palate.

The combination of fresh seafood and herbs elevates this classic Italian-inspired creation beyond ordinary dinner fare.

Delicate yet robust, these stuffed shells offer a symphony of flavors that will impress even the most discerning food lovers.

Perfectly balanced and surprisingly simple to prepare, this recipe turns an ordinary evening into a culinary celebration.

Dive into this delectable seafood experience and watch as your dinner table transforms into a gourmet destination.

Serve This Dish with Saucy Flair

• Ocean Plate Pairing: Serve these luxurious seafood shells alongside a crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy texture and add fresh, zesty notes.
• Mediterranean Companion: Create a side of roasted Mediterranean vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes drizzled with olive oil to complement the seafood's delicate flavors.
• Wine Harmony: Choose a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to enhance the dish's delicate seafood and creamy Alfredo sauce, cutting through the richness with its bright, acidic profile.
• Bread Delight: Offer warm, crusty garlic bread or homemade focaccia to soak up the delicious Alfredo sauce and provide a wonderful textural contrast to the soft stuffed shells.

How to Store Stuffed Shells Without Drying Out

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover stuffed shells in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly to maintain freshness and prevent moisture absorption. Refrigerated shells stay delicious for 3-4 days.
• Quick Freezing Technique: Wrap individual shells or entire pan in freezer-safe plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Frozen seafood shells maintain quality for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating Magic: Warm shells in oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, covered with foil to prevent drying. Add splash of cream or broth to restore original creamy texture. Avoid microwave to keep shell integrity and prevent rubbery seafood.
• Portion Control Hack: Separate shells into single-serving containers before refrigerating. This method allows easy grab-and-go lunches and prevents repeatedly reheating entire batch, which can degrade flavor and texture.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 620 kcal

Servings: 5

Seafood Stuffed Shells Ingredient Notes

• Jumbo Shells: Sturdy pasta perfect for holding luscious seafood filling, choose high-quality shells for best texture and structure.

• Shrimp: Sweet, tender seafood that adds delightful oceanic flavor, select fresh or frozen medium-sized shrimp.
• Crab Meat: Rich, delicate protein that elevates the dish's luxurious profile, opt for fresh or high-quality canned lump crab meat.
• Spinach: Vibrant green vegetable providing nutrition and earthy undertones, use fresh or frozen spinach, well-drained.
• Egg: Binding agent that helps hold the seafood mixture together, choose fresh large eggs.
• Panko Crumbs: Crispy Japanese-style breadcrumbs that create delectable golden crust, select light and airy variety.

• Garlic: Aromatic flavor enhancer, select fresh cloves for most intense taste.
• Scallions: Mild onion-like herb adding fresh, sharp notes, choose bright green stalks.
• Olive Oil: Smooth cooking fat for sautéing, use extra virgin for best flavor.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, salty cheese that adds depth, select freshly grated for maximum flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Luxurious base for creamy Alfredo sauce, choose high-fat content cream.
• Old Bay Seasoning: Classic seafood spice blend providing signature coastal taste.
• Black Pepper: Warm, sharp spice that complements seafood, use freshly ground for best flavor.

Tools That Help You Stuff Shells Like a Pro

• Large pot: For boiling pasta shells with salted water.
• Colander: To drain and rinse cooked pasta shells with cool water.
• Skillet: Used for sautéing garlic and scallions, and making Alfredo sauce.
• Cutting board: For mincing garlic and chopping scallions.
• Sharp knife: To chop and mince ingredients precisely.
• Mixing bowl: For combining seafood mixture ingredients.
• Whisk: To blend Alfredo sauce smoothly.
• Baking pan: To arrange and bake stuffed shells.
• Measuring cups: For accurate ingredient measurements.
• Wooden spoon: For stirring and mixing ingredients.

Easy Steps to Seafood-Stuffed Shell Perfection

Ocean Breeze Seafood Shells

• Oven Warmup

Prepare the oven for a cozy culinary adventure, setting the temperature to a perfect 350 degrees.

• Shell Preparation

Bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil, ready to embrace the pasta shells with tender care.

• Flavor Foundation

Gently sauté minced garlic and delicate scallions in a splash of olive oil, releasing their aromatic magic.

• Seafood Symphony

Combine the ocean’s treasures – succulent shrimp, vibrant spinach, golden crab meat – with sautéed aromatics, a whisked egg, a sprinkle of Old Bay, Parmesan, and crispy Panko crumbs in a harmonious mixing bowl.

• Shell Stuffing

Lovingly fill each pasta shell with the luxurious seafood mixture, nestling them carefully in a baking pan.

• Creamy Embrace

Create a silky Alfredo sauce by warming heavy cream and whisking in Parmesan and a touch of black pepper, then gently cascading it over the stuffed shells.

• Golden Finish

Dust the top with extra Panko crumbs and bake until the dish turns a beautiful golden brown, bubbling with anticipation of the first delightful bite.

Tips That Add Richness to Every Shell

• Seafood Stuffing Secrets: Creative twists and smart cooking hacks to elevate your shell experience.
• Shell Selection Flexibility: Opt for gluten-free pasta shells or experiment with smaller conchiglie if jumbo shells aren't available. Whole wheat options work wonderfully too.
• Seafood Swaps: Replace shrimp and crab with affordable alternatives like imitation crab, canned salmon, or white fish. Fresh scallops can add luxurious texture and flavor complexity.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the seafood mixture and stuff shells up to 24 hours before baking. Cover tightly and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve. This technique intensifies flavors and saves precious kitchen time.
• Spice Adventure: Kick up heat with red pepper flakes, add chopped jalapeños, or experiment with Cajun seasoning instead of Old Bay. Fresh herbs like dill or parsley can brighten the dish's overall profile and add vibrant color.

Succulent Seafood Stuffed Shells Recipe

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4.7 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Mediterranean-inspired seafood delight stuffed shells blend rich ricotta, succulent shrimp, and delicate herbs in pasta shells. Creamy textures and ocean-fresh flavors create a memorable Italian-American culinary experience you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (454 g) jumbo shells, fresh
• 8 oz (227 g) lump crab meat
• 1 lb (454 g) shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 cups Parmesan cheese, microplaned (plus extra for topping)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup spinach
• ½ cup Panko crumbs (plus extra for topping)
• 1 large egg
• 4 garlic cloves
• 3 scallion stalks
• 1 tbsp old bay garlic herb seasoning
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and bring a salted water pot to a vigorous boil for pasta shells.
2. Shell Treatment: Cook jumbo shells for five minutes, then immediately cool under running water to prevent overcooking, ensuring a perfect tender texture.
3. Aromatic Foundation: Sauté garlic and scallions in olive oil, releasing their vibrant essence and creating a flavor base for the seafood filling.
4. Seafood Filling Fusion: Combine shrimp, crab meat, spinach, egg, Old Bay seasoning, Parmesan, and Panko crumbs in a mixing bowl, blending ingredients into a cohesive, flavorful mixture.
5. Shell Stuffing: Carefully fill each pasta shell with the seafood mixture, arranging them strategically in a baking pan to create an elegant seafood presentation.
6. Sauce Creation: Craft a luxurious Alfredo sauce by whisking heavy cream with remaining Parmesan and a touch of black pepper, creating a smooth, rich coating for the shells.
7. Final Assembly: Pour the creamy sauce over stuffed shells, generously sprinkle additional Panko crumbs on top for a crispy golden finish.
8. Baking Finale: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the shells turn golden brown and the sauce bubbles enticingly, signaling a perfectly prepared seafood delight.

Notes

• Seafood Selection Matters: Choose fresh, high-quality shrimp and crab meat to elevate the dish’s flavor and texture.
• Cooking Shell Precision: Partially cook pasta shells to prevent overcooking during baking, maintaining the perfect al dente consistency.
• Seasoning Secret: Old Bay adds signature maritime flavor; adjust quantity to personal taste preference for authentic seafood experience.
• Crumb Crispiness Tip: Toast Panko breadcrumbs lightly before adding to filling and topping for extra crunch and golden-brown appearance.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 620
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 210 mg