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Creamy Seafood Stuffed Shells

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 20 jumbo pasta shells
  • 1/2 lb medium shrimp, peeled, deveined, and roughly chopped
  • 1/2 lb lump crab meat, picked clean
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella, plus extra for topping
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (for filling)
  • 1 tbsp butter (for filling)
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken or seafood broth
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (for sauce)
  • 1 tbsp butter (for sauce)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Boil a large pot of salted water and cook jumbo shells until just barely al dente, about 1 to 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain and spread on a lightly oiled baking sheet to prevent sticking.
  • In a skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter and add minced garlic. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then add chopped shrimp. Cook just until pink, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat immediately.
  • In a large bowl, combine softened cream cheese, ricotta, mozzarella, lemon juice, Old Bay, salt, pepper, and parsley. Stir until mostly smooth. Gently fold in the cooked shrimp and crab meat, keeping some crab chunks intact.
  • Using the same skillet, melt remaining butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Pour in heavy cream and broth, simmer 3 to 4 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in Parmesan, season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Pour half the sauce into the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish.
  • Spoon the seafood filling into each shell using a regular spoon. Nestle filled shells into the baking dish over the sauce. Pour remaining sauce over the top and scatter extra mozzarella over everything.
  • Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil for the last 5 minutes to lightly brown the cheese. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Pull the shrimp off the heat the moment they turn pink — they'll finish cooking in the oven and overcooking them twice turns them rubbery. When in doubt, undercook slightly at the skillet stage.
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