Stuffed Shells Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What goes well with stuffed shells? ›

I often serve these stuffed shells with my Homemade Caesar Salad, but my Arugula Salad, Beet Salad, or Simple Green Salad would also pair well with this recipe. And when it comes to bread, you really can't go wrong! Stick with a crusty loaf, or make rosemary focaccia, garlic knots, or dinner rolls. Enjoy!

You can accomplish this popular feat of Italian-American origin by following recipes for either manicotti or stuffed shells. Both pastas are meant to be stuffed. The difference is in the details. Literally translated, manicotti means “l*ttle muffs.” The large tubes are made for stuffing.

Stuffed shells can get watery for a few different reasons. One reason could be that the shells were not cooked long enough and they released water while cooking. Another reason could be that the filling was too wet, which made the shells soggy.

Don't Overcook the Pasta Shells!

Do not, I repeat, DO NOT over cook your pasta shells. In fact, I want you to undercook them! Boil them in a large pot of salt water for exactly 5 minutes, then drain them well and gently pat them dry. The shells will still be relatively hard, but just soft enough for you to stuff them.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Spoon the cheese mixture into each pasta shell and place open side up, in a single layer, in prepared pan. Pour the rest of sauce over the stuffed shells. Loosely cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes.

Lasagna pasta sheets are the way to go for manicotti. They're easier to use than traditional tubes, are less likely to tear, and they have a better texture — just make sure to get the kind without curly edges. To boil the lasagna sheets, crisscross them in the water so they aren't as likely to fuse together.

The pasta called conchiglioni, usually marketed as “jumbo shells” here in the US, are filled with a ricotta cream enriched with mozzarella, napped with a simple marinara sauce and topped with a generous sprinkling of Parmesan before being baked in a hot oven.

The only reason for this happening, is that you cook the pasta shells in too little water and you do not stir as soon as you throw the pasta into the boiling water. Typically the water/pasta ratio should be no less than 1 liter of water for 100 grams of pasta.

Like most leftovers, your stuffed shells should last for three to four days in a fridge set at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower . If you can't eat the extra stuffed shells so soon, put them in the freezer set at 0 degrees Fahrenheit and they will stay fresh for four months.

How many shells are in a box of jumbo shells? ›

There are usually around 40 to 46 shells in a 12 oz box of jumbo shells.

The best way to salvage an under-boiled egg is to get it back into hot water. You can either reboil them directly on the stove, or put them in a bowl that can handle boiling water and pour hot water over the eggs. Note: Do not cook boiled or partially boiled eggs in the microwave; this will cause them to explode.

Conchiglie is a pasta variety that is shaped like a conch shell. The smallest shell shape is called conchigliette and the largest shell shape is called conchiglioni.

Jumbo shells are extra large seashell-shaped pasta that is perfect for stuffing and oven baking.

The best side dishes to serve with manicotti are stuffed mushrooms, garden salad, zucchini fritters, Korean corn dogs, cauliflower pizza bowl, shrimp skewers, potato rosti, caprese salad, garlic bread, roasted Brussels sprouts, Italian sausage skewers, antipasto platter, minestrone soup, and stuffed peppers.

I usually serve with rice and steamed vegetable. It's filled with flavor and is pretty easy to make. I could eat the stuffing all by it's self.

Like most leftovers, your stuffed shells should last for three to four days in a fridge set at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower . If you can't eat the extra stuffed shells so soon, put them in the freezer set at 0 degrees Fahrenheit and they will stay fresh for four months.

For steamed mussels, clams, or shrimp, you'll want starchy seafood side dishes that absorb the delicious liquid they give off—bruschetta, rice, pureed cauliflower, or roasted root vegetables all work well.