Decadent Seafood-Stuffed Pasta Shells
Delight in the rich and savory flavors of our Decadent Seafood-Stuffed Pasta Shells, featuring oversized pasta shells generously packed with a creamy mixture of crabmeat, shrimp, and a medley of cheeses. Topped with a luscious homemade Alfredo sauce infused with garlic and fresh lemon zest, this dish promises to be a crowd-pleaser at family gatherings or intimate dinners alike. It's a comforting yet elegant choice that pairs beautifully with crusty sourdough French bread. Not only does it impress for special occasions, but it also makes for fantastic leftovers, ready to be reheated and enjoyed any day of the week. Dive into this indulgent seafood experience and savor every bite!
6
Servings
533
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
Mozzarella cheese
1 cup (grated)
Ricotta cheese
1 cup (none)
Eggs
2 (beaten)
Garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon (none)
Salt
1 teaspoon (divided)
Crabmeat
1 cup (diced small)
Shrimp
1 cup (diced)
Asiago cheese
1 cup (shredded, divided)
Parmesan cheese
1 cup (shredded, divided)
Heavy cream
1 cup (none)
Milk
1/2 cup (none)
Butter
2 tablespoons (unsalted)
Garlic cloves
2-3 (minced)
Lemon
1/2 (juiced and zested)
Water
1/2 cup (none)
Cornstarch
1 tablespoon (none)
Large pasta shells
16-20 (none)
Boiling water
as needed (for cooking pasta)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Cook the large pasta shells until they are just pliable but not fully cooked, about 6-7 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
3
While the shells are cooking, melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 3 minutes, being careful not to let it burn.
4
Stir in the heavy cream, milk, salt, and lemon zest. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes before adding in the shredded mozzarella, asiago, and parmesan cheeses.
5
Once the cheese is melted and well combined, stir in the lemon juice and continue to cook on medium heat for another 2-3 minutes.
6
In a small bowl, mix together the water and cornstarch to create a slurry. Add this to the sauce, stirring continuously as it thickens. Cook just until the sauce is creamy and luxurious, then remove from the heat.
7
In a large mixing bowl, combine the grated mozzarella, ricotta, beaten eggs, garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, crabmeat, and shrimp. Stir until well combined.
8
Carefully stuff each pasta shell with the seafood and cheese mixture and place them in a greased baking dish.
9
Pour the creamy Alfredo sauce evenly over all the stuffed shells.
10
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. If you prefer a golden top, uncover the dish for the last 5-10 minutes of baking.
11
Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy with crusty bread and your favorite side salad!
Nutrition Information
37g
Fat
23g
Carbs
23g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Decadent Seafood-Stuffed Pasta Shells?
They are oversized pasta shells filled with a creamy mixture of crabmeat, shrimp, and multiple cheeses, topped with a homemade garlic and lemon Alfredo sauce.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 533 calories.
What type of seafood is used in the filling?
The filling uses 1 cup of diced small crabmeat and 1 cup of diced shrimp.
What cheeses are included in the recipe?
The recipe features mozzarella, ricotta, asiago, and parmesan cheeses.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
How long should the pasta shells be boiled?
Boil the shells for 6-7 minutes until they are just pliable but not fully cooked.
Why should the shells be rinsed in cold water after boiling?
Rinsing them under cold water stops the cooking process so they don't become too soft.
How long should I sauté the garlic for the sauce?
Sauté the minced garlic in butter for 3 minutes, taking care not to burn it.
What ingredients are in the homemade Alfredo sauce?
The sauce includes butter, garlic, heavy cream, milk, salt, lemon zest, mozzarella, asiago, parmesan, lemon juice, and a cornstarch slurry.
What is the purpose of the cornstarch slurry?
The slurry, made of water and cornstarch, is used to thicken the sauce until it is creamy and luxurious.
What ingredients make up the seafood filling?
The filling consists of grated mozzarella, ricotta, beaten eggs, garlic powder, salt, crabmeat, and shrimp.
How many pasta shells are needed for this recipe?
You will need between 16 and 20 large pasta shells.
How long do the stuffed shells need to bake?
The shells should be baked for 30 minutes in total.
Should the baking dish be covered?
Yes, cover the dish with aluminum foil while baking.
How can I get a golden top on the pasta shells?
Uncover the baking dish for the final 5-10 minutes of the baking time.
What are the nutritional macros for this dish?
Each serving has 37g of fat, 23g of carbohydrates, and 23g of protein.
What is a recommended side dish for this meal?
It pairs beautifully with crusty sourdough French bread and a favorite side salad.
Can these seafood shells be eaten as leftovers?
Yes, they make fantastic leftovers and are easy to reheat and enjoy later.
How much butter is used in the sauce?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter.
How much heavy cream is required?
You will need 1 cup of heavy cream for the Alfredo sauce.
Are eggs used in this recipe?
Yes, 2 beaten eggs are mixed into the seafood and cheese filling.
What type of lemon preparation is used?
The recipe uses both the juice and the zest of half a lemon.
Is garlic used in both the filling and the sauce?
Yes, garlic powder is used in the filling, and minced garlic cloves are used in the sauce.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 18 ingredients in this recipe.
Does the recipe include any fiber or sugar?
According to the nutrition data, fiber and sugar content are negligible or not recorded.
What are the primary tags for this recipe?
Tags include seafood, pasta, stuffed shells, alfredo, shrimp, crab, baked pasta, comfort food, and italian.
How much ricotta cheese is needed?
The recipe requires 1 cup of ricotta cheese.
How much mozzarella is used?
1 cup of grated mozzarella is used in the filling and additional mozzarella is used in the sauce.
Is this dish suitable for special occasions?
Yes, its elegant presentation and rich flavors make it perfect for family gatherings or intimate dinners.