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Golden-baked creamy seafood stuffed shells with a cheesy, bubbly topping and garnished with fresh parsley.

Creamy Seafood Stuffed Shells

Creamy Seafood Stuffed Shells are a luxurious dish that combines jumbo pasta shells filled with a rich mixture of shrimp, crab, and scallops, all enveloped in a velvety, cheesy sauce. Baked to perfection, this dish offers an indulgent and flavorful meal that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or enjoying a special meal with your family, these stuffed shells will undoubtedly impress everyone at the table.

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 6-8 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • For the Pasta Shells:

    • 1820 jumbo pasta shells

    • 1 tbsp salt (for boiling water)

  • For the Seafood Filling:

    • 1 lb shrimp (peeled and deveined)

    • 1 cup crab meat (can use imitation or real)

    • 1/2 lb scallops (optional)

    • 2 cloves garlic (minced)

    • 1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped)

    • Zest of 1 lemon (optional)

  • For the Creamy Sauce:

    • 2 cups heavy cream

    • 4 oz cream cheese (softened)

    • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

    • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

    • 2 tbsp butter

    • 2 cloves garlic (minced)

    • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta Shells:
    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to the package directions, but keep them slightly al dente. Drain and set aside to cool.

  2. Cook the Seafood:
    In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the shrimp and scallops (if using) and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until opaque and tender. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Remove from heat and chop the seafood into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.

  3. Prepare the Creamy Sauce:
    In the same skillet, melt the remaining butter and add the minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the heavy cream, bring to a simmer, and cook for 2-3 minutes. Stir in the cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, and mozzarella cheese. Continue stirring until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

  4. Combine Seafood with Sauce:
    Add the cooked seafood mixture to the creamy sauce. Stir in chopped parsley and lemon zest (if using) for extra freshness and flavor. Mix well and remove from heat.

  5. Stuff the Shells:
    Carefully spoon the seafood mixture into each cooked pasta shell. Place each stuffed shell in a greased or parchment-lined baking dish.

  6. Assemble and Bake:
    Pour the remaining creamy sauce over the stuffed shells in the baking dish. Sprinkle extra mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top. Cover the dish with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes of baking to allow the cheese to brown.

  7. Serve and Enjoy:
    Once baked to a golden perfection, remove from the oven and serve hot. Garnish with extra parsley if desired.

  • Author: Aida
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 stuffed shells per person