Decadent Salad-Stuffed Pasta Shells
Transform your typical salad into a fun and finger-friendly delight with these Decadent Salad-Stuffed Pasta Shells! Perfect for potlucks, parties, and gatherings, these boats of goodness are filled with fresh ingredients layered between tender pasta shells. This convenient finger food is a crowd-pleaser that combines the crunch of fresh vegetables, the creaminess of cheese, and the zesty flair of homemade dressing, all brought together for an unforgettable bite. Ideal for serving at buffets, these salad boats can be made a little in advance, allowing the flavors to blend beautifully while keeping the vegetables crisp. Make your next event even more special with this playful and delicious dish!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
Olive oil
1/4 cup (none)
Lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons (none)
Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon (none)
Kosher salt
1 pinch (none)
Fresh ground pepper
2 pinches (none)
Minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Parmesan cheese
2 1/2 tablespoons (grated)
Mild red onion
1/4 (sliced thinly)
Green leaf lettuce
1 large head (chopped)
Tomato
1 cup (chopped)
Pepperoni
1/4 lb (thinly sliced)
Sliced olives
2 (4-ounce) cans (drained)
Queso ranchero or feta
1/2 lb (crumbled)
Garlic salt
to taste (none)
Jumbo pasta shells
1 (12-ounce) package (none)
Kosher salt
1 tablespoon (none)
Water
4 quarts (none)
Instructions
1
Prepare the salad dressing an hour before serving by whisking together the olive oil, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, fresh ground pepper, minced garlic, and parmesan cheese in a bowl. Allow the diced red onion to marinate in the dressing for at least an hour to blend flavors while keeping the onion crunchy.
2
Bring 4 quarts of water to a rolling boil in a large pot, adding 1 tablespoon of kosher salt. Carefully add the jumbo pasta shells and cook for 12 minutes until al dente. Drain the shells immediately and rinse under cold water until completely cooled to stop the cooking process.
3
While the pasta cools, chop the green leaf lettuce, tomatoes, and pepperoni into bite-sized pieces. Drain both cans of sliced olives and add to the mixing bowl along with the crumbled queso ranchero or feta cheese.
4
Once the pasta shells are cool, gently toss the prepared salad ingredients with the marinated onions and dressing. Start by adding the dressing gradually, tossing gently until everything is well coated without making the salad soggy. Adjust seasoning with garlic salt to taste.
5
Fill each cooled pasta shell with the salad mixture, pressing gently so they hold together. Place the stuffed pasta shells on a large platter or serving dish, and enjoy these delicious finger foods at your next gathering.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Decadent Salad-Stuffed Pasta Shells?
They are jumbo pasta shells filled with fresh salad ingredients, pepperoni, and a homemade zesty dressing, served as a finger food.
How long should I cook the jumbo pasta shells?
The jumbo pasta shells should be cooked for 12 minutes until they are al dente.
What is the secret to the flavorful dressing?
Allowing the sliced red onion to marinate in the dressing for at least an hour before serving blends the flavors perfectly.
Are these stuffed shells suitable for a party?
Yes, they are ideal for potlucks, parties, and buffets as a convenient and delicious finger food.
What kind of cheese can be used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for Parmesan cheese in the dressing and either crumbled queso ranchero or feta cheese in the salad.
How many cans of olives are required?
You will need two 4-ounce cans of sliced olives, which should be drained before use.
What type of lettuce is recommended for the filling?
One large head of chopped green leaf lettuce is used for the salad mixture.
How much pepperoni is included in the recipe?
The recipe requires 1/4 lb of thinly sliced pepperoni chopped into bite-sized pieces.
How do I stop the pasta shells from cooking further?
Immediately drain the shells and rinse them under cold water until they are completely cooled.
Can I adjust the final seasoning of the salad?
Yes, you can adjust the seasoning with garlic salt to taste after tossing the salad with the dressing.
What are the main ingredients in the homemade dressing?
The dressing consists of olive oil, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, fresh ground pepper, minced garlic, and parmesan cheese.
How much water is needed to boil the pasta?
The recipe calls for 4 quarts of water.
How much grated Parmesan cheese is needed?
You will need 2 1/2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese for the dressing.
How far in advance should I prepare the dressing?
Prepare the salad dressing at least one hour before you plan on serving the dish.
What is the texture of the red onion after marinating?
Marinating the onion in the dressing keeps it crunchy while allowing it to absorb the flavors.
Can these salad boats be made ahead of time?
Yes, they can be made a little in advance to let flavors blend while keeping the vegetables crisp.
How much minced garlic is required for the recipe?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic.
What type of oil is used in the dressing?
1/4 cup of olive oil is used as the base for the dressing.
How much lemon juice is added to the dressing?
1 1/2 teaspoons of lemon juice are added for a zesty flair.
How should the olives be prepared?
The sliced olives should be thoroughly drained from their cans before being added to the mixing bowl.
What other vegetables are in the salad mix besides lettuce?
The salad mix includes chopped tomatoes and marinated red onions.
How do I assemble the stuffed shells?
Toss the salad ingredients with dressing and gently press the mixture into the cooled, cooked pasta shells.
What size package of pasta shells is needed?
One 12-ounce package of jumbo pasta shells is required.
How much salt is added to the pasta boiling water?
Add 1 tablespoon of kosher salt to the 4 quarts of boiling water.
How should the tomatoes be prepared?
The tomatoes should be chopped into bite-sized pieces for the filling.
Is black pepper used in this recipe?
Yes, 2 pinches of fresh ground pepper are included in the dressing.
What dry seasoning is used in the dressing?
One teaspoon of Italian seasoning is used to flavor the dressing.
Are these served hot or cold?
These are served cold as a fresh salad dish.
How do I ensure the salad stays inside the shell?
Press the salad mixture gently into the cooled pasta shells so they hold together.
What is the total ingredient count for this recipe?
There are 17 ingredients total used in this recipe.