Description
Delightful seafood stuffed shells filled with shrimp, crab, and creamy cheeses, baked in a rich sauce for a perfect family meal.
Ingredients
- 20 jumbo pasta shells
- 1 cup cooked shrimp, chopped
- 1 cup lump crab meat (or imitation crab)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups milk
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese for sauce
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Boil the jumbo pasta shells in salted water for about 10-12 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool.
- Combine the chopped shrimp, lump crab meat, ricotta cheese, mozzarella, grated parmesan, egg, parsley, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Mix until you achieve a creamy filling.
- Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for one minute, ensuring there are no lumps.
- Gradually whisk in 1 ½ cups of milk, cooking until thickened. Add the parmesan, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if desired). Remove from heat.
- Spread a thin layer of the sauce on the bottom of a greased baking dish. Carefully stuff each shell with the seafood mixture and place them in the dish.
- Pour the remaining sauce evenly over the top. Sprinkle extra mozzarella or parmesan on top if desired.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. After that, remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes, allowing it to bubble and develop a golden finish.
Notes
For best results, prepare the filling ahead of time to allow flavors to meld. Adjust the ingredient proportions to suit your taste.