Description
Jumbo pasta shells bursting with a rich, creamy filling of shrimp, crab, and cheeses, baked in a luscious homemade sauce.
Ingredients
24 jumbo pasta shells
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb cooked shrimp, peeled, deveined, chopped
8 oz lump crab meat, picked clean
15 oz ricotta cheese
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, plus more for garnish
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
4 tbsp unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup shredded Gruyere cheese (or mozzarella)
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
Instructions
Step 1: Cook jumbo pasta shells according to package directions until al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside to cool slightly to prevent sticking and tearing.
Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the chopped cooked shrimp, lump crab meat, ricotta cheese, softened cream cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, 2 tbsp chopped parsley, garlic powder, and onion powder. Season generously with salt and pepper. Mix until well combined.
Step 3: Prepare the cream sauce: In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
Step 4: Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, a little at a time, until smooth. Bring the sauce to a simmer, stirring frequently, until it thickens, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the Gruyere cheese and nutmeg until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 5: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread about 1 cup of the cream sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
Step 6: Carefully fill each cooked pasta shell with a generous amount of the seafood and cheese mixture. Arrange the stuffed shells in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
Step 7: Pour the remaining cream sauce evenly over the stuffed shells. Sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese.
Step 8: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is golden brown. If desired, you can broil for the last 2-3 minutes for a deeper golden crust (watch carefully!).
Step 9: Let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
Notes
For an extra boost of flavor, you can briefly sauté the raw shrimp with a pinch of old bay seasoning before chopping and adding to the filling. If you don't have Gruyere, white cheddar or provolone can be used in the sauce.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 shells
- Calories: 580 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 180mg