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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and bring a salted water pot to a vigorous boil for pasta shells.
- Shell Treatment: Cook jumbo shells for five minutes, then immediately cool under running water to prevent overcooking, ensuring a perfect tender texture.
- Aromatic Foundation: Sauté garlic and scallions in olive oil, releasing their vibrant essence and creating a flavor base for the seafood filling.
- 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.
- Shell Stuffing: Carefully fill each pasta shell with the seafood mixture, arranging them strategically in a baking pan to create an elegant seafood presentation.
- 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.
- Final Assembly: Pour the creamy sauce over stuffed shells, generously sprinkle additional Panko crumbs on top for a crispy golden finish.
- 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