Description
Sumptuous seafood stuffed shells bring coastal Italian magic to dinner tables with rich, cheesy goodness. Delicate pasta pockets cradle a luxurious blend of succulent shrimp and crab, promising a restaurant-worthy meal you can savor at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood and Main Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, chopped
- 8 ounces (226 grams) lobster meat
- 8 ounces (226 grams) lump crab meat
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese
- 20 jumbo pasta shells
- 2 cups finely chopped fresh spinach
Dairy and Cheese:
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) grated Parmesan Reggiano cheese
- 1/4 cup (30 grams) grated Parmesan Reggiano cheese
- 1 cup (100 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 tablespoons (21 grams) butter
- 1 tablespoon (8 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) unsweetened almond milk
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) dry white wine
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
- foil
Instructions
- Prepare pasta shells by boiling them 2 minutes less than package instructions to maintain structural integrity. Immediately rinse in cold water to halt cooking and prevent adhesion.
- Create velvety sauce by melting butter in skillet, whisking in flour to develop a smooth roux. Gradually incorporate cream, almond milk, and white wine, stirring consistently to prevent clumping. Infuse with garlic, Parmesan, and seasonings until sauce reaches luxurious thickness.
- Sear seafood in butter, cooking shrimp and lobster 3-4 minutes per side until perfectly cooked through. Transfer protein to separate mixing bowl.
- Craft filling by blending seafood, cream cheese, spinach, Parmesan, mozzarella, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper until mixture achieves uniform, creamy consistency.
- Generously stuff each shell with approximately 1½ tablespoons of seafood mixture. Arrange shells in baking dish atop a preliminary layer of cream sauce, positioning them closely together.
- Bake covered at 350°F for 20 minutes. Uncover and continue baking 5-10 minutes until cheese develops golden, slightly crispy surface.
Notes
- Adjust shell cooking time carefully to maintain perfect texture, ensuring they’re firm yet pliable for easy stuffing.
- Use fresh seafood for maximum flavor, selecting high-quality shrimp and lobster that are sustainably sourced.
- Consider dairy-free alternatives by substituting cream cheese with cashew cream and using plant-based cheese options for a lactose-free version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 150mg