Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells Recipe

This Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells Recipe is a cheesy and creamy recipe, which is made with ricotta and Alfredo sauce. It’s the ultimate comfort food recipe, ready in about 50 minutes.

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Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells Recipe Ingredients Recipe

Toasted Breadcrumbs:

• ¼ cup plain breadcrumbs
• 2 tsp butter

Pasta Shells:

• 15 jumbo shells (plus a few extra in case some break)

Cheese Filling:

• 2 cups full-fat ricotta
• 1 cup shredded Italian blend cheese
• 1 large egg

Marinara Sauce:

• 24 oz jarred or homemade marinara

Alfredo Sauce:

• 4 oz heavy cream
• 3 oz butter
• 3 oz shredded Parmesan

How To Make Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells Recipe

1. Preheat Oven and Cook Shells: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the jumbo shells according to package directions until just al dente (still firm). Drain carefully and set aside.
2. Make the Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the 2 cups of ricotta, 1 cup of Italian cheese, and the large egg. Mix well until everything is fully incorporated.
3. Toast the Breadcrumbs: In a small skillet, melt the 2 tsp of butter over medium heat. Add the ¼ cup of breadcrumbs and toast, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes until they are golden brown and fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
4. Make Quick Alfredo Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine the 4 oz heavy cream, 3 oz butter, and 3 oz shredded Parmesan. Warm over low heat, whisking constantly, until the butter and cheese are melted and the sauce is perfectly smooth. Do not let it boil.
5. Assemble the Shells: Pour the 24 oz of marinara sauce into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
6. Stuff the Shells: Carefully stuff each cooked jumbo shell with a generous spoonful of the ricotta cheese mixture. The easiest way to do this is with a small spoon or a piping bag.
7. Arrange and Sauce: Place the stuffed shells, filling-side up, on top of the marinara sauce in the baking dish. Drizzle the warm Alfredo sauce evenly over all the shells.
8. Top and Bake: Sprinkle the toasted breadcrumbs over the top. Bake, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the shells are heated through.

Recipe Tips Recipe

• How do I stuff the shells without making a mess? The cleanest way is to use a piping bag. If you don’t have one, just add the ricotta filling to a large Ziploc bag and snip off one of the bottom corners. It makes assembly much faster and cleaner than using a spoon.
• Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, this is a perfect make-ahead meal. Assemble the entire dish (steps 5-7), but don’t add the breadcrumbs yet. Cover the dish tightly with foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, sprinkle with the breadcrumbs and bake as directed (you may need to add 5-10 minutes if it’s cold from the fridge).
• My shells broke while boiling. How do I stop this? This is why you always cook a few extra! To prevent breaking, make sure you use a large pot with plenty of water. Don’t let it boil too aggressively, and stir gently. Most importantly, only cook them to al dente—they will finish cooking in the oven.
• Can I add meat to this? Absolutely. For a meaty version, brown ½ lb of ground Italian sausage or ground beef, drain the fat, and stir it into the marinara sauce before pouring it into the baking dish.

What To Serve With Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells Recipe

This is a very rich and cheesy main course. The best sides are simple ones that help soak up the delicious sauce or cut through the richness.

• Hot garlic bread or crusty breadsticks
• A crisp Caesar salad
• Steamed broccoli or roasted asparagus with lemon

How To Store Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells Recipe

Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container (or just cover the baking dish with foil) in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freeze: This dish freezes well. You can freeze the entire unbaked dish (without breadcrumbs) tightly covered for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then top with breadcrumbs and bake as directed.

Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells Recipe Nutrition Facts Recipe

(Per serving, assuming 5 servings)

• Calories: ~720 kcal
• Total Fat: 50g
• Saturated Fat: 30g
• Cholesterol: 155mg
• Sodium: 1300mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 40g
• Dietary Fiber: 5g
• Sugars: 9g
• Protein: 28g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

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