Pasta enthusiasts rejoice! The humble shells pasta is a crowd-pleaser, offering endless possibilities for creative recipes and flavor combinations.
When it comes to people’s favorite foods, pasta is undoubtedly near the top of the list. Its versatility and convenience make it an ideal canvas for experimenting with various dishes. From classic stuffed shells to innovative twists like shells pasta with shrimp, there’s a recipe to suit every taste.
At the heart of this culinary flexibility is the Conchiglie or shell pasta itself. Shaped like a conch shell, this type of pasta is designed to trap sauces, allowing for even distribution and maximum flavor. Whether you opt for plain wheat shells or those with added natural pigments like squid ink or tomato extract, the result is a dish that bursts with flavor in every bite.
One such recipe that showcases the versatility of shell pasta is the #14 Cheesy Taco Stuffed Shells.
This reimagination of the Mexican classic offers a fresh take on a beloved dish, allowing you to experience the thrill of discovery and delight.
One-Pot Creamy Beef & Shells
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience with this delectable shell pasta recipe that whips up in under 30 minutes. The harmonious blend of ground beef, white cheddar, and rich tomato sauce, all cooked together in one pot, yields a creamy and velvety texture that’s simply irresistible. This fuss-free recipe is perfect for serving to your loved ones, providing the ultimate comfort and satisfaction in every bite.
Classic Stuffed Shells
A comforting classic, this cheesy stuffed shells recipe brings together rich flavors and satisfying textures to create a truly indulgent pasta dish. By combining three types of cheese – ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan – with Italian seasoning, egg, salt, and pepper, each shell of pasta is transformed into a creamy, zesty masterpiece.
The dish begins by layering the stuffed shells in marinara sauce, followed by additional sauce and an generous sprinkling of cheese, before being baked to perfection in the oven for 20 minutes. This recipe is particularly well-suited for serving large groups, as it can be easily scaled up to produce multiple batches without compromising on flavor.
Bacon & Tomato Pasta Shells
This Bacon & Tomato Pasta Shells recipe puts a creative spin on the classic Amatriciana by combining shell pasta with a rich pork-based sauce, featuring guanciale, tomatoes, and thick-cut bacon. The dish is elevated by the harmonious balance of flavors and textures. To prepare this mouthwatering pasta, start by browning the bacon in olive oil and butter until crispy and golden. Then, add aromatics like garlic and spices to amplify the savory flavor profile.
Next, incorporate tomato paste, cherry tomatoes, and a hint of sweetness as the sauce simmers and melds together. The result is a dish that’s sure to delight, with shell pasta serving as the perfect vessel for capturing the sumptuous sauce and meaty morsels in every bite.
Baked Shells With Cauliflower & Zucchini
Elevating comfort food to new heights, this mac and cheese recipe combines the familiarity of traditional pasta dishes with the sophistication of elevated flavors. The core ingredients include cauliflower, zucchini, and taleggio cheese, whose rich and mellow notes are enhanced by the subtle addition of fresh spices and other elements like dry white wine and heavy cream.
These components are then carefully combined and baked in the oven for a time-honored period of up to 15 minutes, resulting in a crispy, golden-brown crust on top. To further elevate this decadent dish, high-quality shell pasta is used, which maintains its satisfying texture throughout the baking process, ensuring each bite is both indulgent and refined.
Chicken Parm Stuffed Shells
Good chicken parmesan is always a crowd-pleaser, perfectly capturing the essence of Italian cuisine. The harmonious blend of succulent chicken, tangy tomato sauce, and melted mozzarella creates an unforgettable culinary experience. One way to elevate this classic recipe is by incorporating it into a shell pasta dish, where the tender noodles are filled with the savory goodness of chicken parmesan. This combination results in a rich, creamy bite that’s bursting with umami flavor.
Pasta Shells With Shrimp & Garlicky Bread Crumbs
This sophisticated recipe boasts a harmonious balance of flavors, expertly crafted through the combination of rich ingredients. Each component is carefully designed to contribute layers of complexity and depth, from the pungent garlicky breadcrumbs and succulent shrimp, to the zesty lemon-anchovy dressing, resulting in a truly exceptional dining experience for all.
Creamy Pasta Shells With Sweet Peas & Bacon
Imagine a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal that combines the creaminess of buttery sauce with the sweetness of fresh peas and the satisfying crunch of crispy bacon. This dish checks all those boxes. The sweet peas add a burst of freshness, while the smoky flavor of the bacon provides a delightful contrast. Meanwhile, the al dente shell pasta serves as a perfect vessel for the rich, creamy butter sauce that ties everything together.
What’s more, each component of this mouthwatering meal – from the pan-seared bacon to the sautéed peas and shallots – can be prepared simultaneously with the cooking of the pasta, making it an impressively quick and easy meal to prepare.
Creamy Caprese Stuffed Shells
Imagine being transported to the picturesque Italian island of Capri with each bite of this authentic Caprese recipe. To achieve this culinary escape, Conchiglie pasta – shaped like shells – is stuffed with a rich and creamy sun-dried tomato sauce. This sauce is crafted by blending together ricotta, mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, salt, and pepper, before adding chicken broth and heavy cream to simmer and thicken.
Once the sauce has reached the perfect consistency, it’s spooned into the shell pasta, which is then placed in a baking dish until the cheese melts beautifully, releasing an aroma that will leave you craving more.
Baked Pasta With Mascarpone, Sausage, & Mushrooms
Italian cuisine prides itself on uncomplicated recipes that highlight the finest seasonal ingredients. This baked pasta recipe showcases each component’s natural flavor profile. A harmonious blend of rich mascarpone cheese, savory sausages, and earthy mushrooms creates a delightful dish with a velvety texture. Perfect for special occasions, this elegant pasta option is sure to impress your guests.
Mascarpone Stuffed Shells With Spinach & Ricotta
Indulge in the rich flavors of Italy with this exceptional meatless pasta recipe, which masterfully combines the creamy indulgence of mascarpone cheese with sautéed spinach and mushrooms. The star of the show is a cheese blend of ricotta, mascarpone, parmesan, and mozzarella, skillfully mixed with the earthy flavors of its accompaniments.
To prepare this delectable dish, cook pasta shells according to package directions, then fill each one with the cheesy spinach-mushroom mixture before baking in the oven for a satisfying 30 minutes. The result is a culinary experience that will leave your taste buds singing with each bite.
Enchilada Stuffed Shells
Imagine taking the classic flavors of an Enchilada and transforming them into a hearty pasta dish that’s equal parts familiar and excitingly new. That’s exactly what this recipe achieves by swapping traditional corn tortillas for jumbo pasta shells, resulting in a generously portioned, next-level creation that’s sure to delight.
Chicken Alfredo Soup
Comfort food at its finest, this Chicken Alfredo Soup is a masterclass in indulgence. The velvety Alfredo sauce, crafted from a rich blend of butter, flour, milk, cream, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, harmonizes beautifully with a hearty soup base built around succulent chicken broth and diced chicken. The result is a dish that embodies the very essence of comfort, serving up satisfying spoonfuls of pure bliss.
Lasagna Stuffed Pasta Shells
The quintessential comfort food, lasagna never fails to impress. This timeless recipe masterfully combines tender pasta shells with a rich, meaty, and creamy filling, all wrapped in a tangy tomato sauce and topped with a golden-brown layer of melted cheese. The result is a satisfying meal that’s both familiar and excitingly unique.
The star of the show here are the jumbo pasta shells, perfectly designed to hold generous helpings of the flavorful filling and sauce.
As you take your first bite, the tender noodles give way to a delightful burst of cheesy, meaty goodness, making it hard not to go back for more.
Cheesy Taco Stuffed Shells
Experience the fusion of classic Mexican flavors and Italian comfort in this reimagined pasta dish. By combining tender jumbo pasta shells with a rich taco-inspired filling, you’ll create a creamy and savory masterpiece that’s sure to delight everyone. The secret lies in a meaty and cheesy taco mix made by simmering ground beef with taco seasoning and water, then infusing it with the bold flavors of salsa and cheese.
Once the mixture thickens, it’s scooped into pasta shells and topped with an extra layer of sauce and melted cheese before being baked to perfection in just 5 minutes.
Seafood Stuffed Shells
Indulge in a culinary delight as you savor the succulent seafood-filled pasta shells. This decadent recipe combines the richness of crabmeat, succulent scallops, and plump shrimp with the tanginess of mustard, creaminess of mayonnaise, savory seasoning, pungency of shallots, and freshness of parsley. The blend is then scooped into jumbo pasta shells, forming the foundation for a rich, creamy sauce that’s baked to perfection within a bed of bechamel sauce, topped with buttery breadcrumbs.
The bottom line
Shell pasta recipes offer a world of possibilities, delivering on both satisfaction and flavor. Each dish is designed to fill and delight, making it easy to find a new favorite for every day of the week. The array of options ensures that there’s always something new to try at home. From classic stuffed shells to creative combinations with shrimp and more, our collection of top-rated recipes has something for everyone.
