Between the pasta, fillings, and yummy sauces, these recipes are hearty, cheesy, and oh-so-indulgent. Pasta is comfort food at its best. And stuffed shells are some of my favorite carb-heavy dinners. They’re easy to make, super versatile, and guaranteed crowd-pleasers. Of course, these stuffed pasta recipes don’t just include shells. There’s also meaty rigatoni and ooey-gooey manicotti. No matter how you stuff them, there won’t be any leftovers.
Classic Stuffed Shells and More!
1. Classic Stuffed Shells
You’ll adore these classic stuffed shells if you’re a cheese lover like me. I mean, how can you go wrong with jumbo pasta shells stuffed with a three-cheese filling and a homemade marinara sauce? Of course, everything’s better with more cheese. So, be sure to sprinkle a good handful of shredded mozzarella on top before baking. They’ll come out hot and bubbling. Yum!
2. Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells
Looking for a vegetarian dish that’ll be a hit with the whole family? These spinach and ricotta stuffed shells are so hearty, you won’t even notice they’re meatless. You’ll stuff these shells with sautéed spinach and three types of cheese. Then, drown them in marinara sauce and bake. Easy-peasy! This recipe is also a fantastic way to sneak in a few extra greens. Not even picky eaters can resist.
3. Shrimp Scampi Stuffed Shells
Shrimp scampi is one of my favorite seafood pasta dishes. And it’s so much more fun to eat when it’s in the form of a stuffed shell. They look like little boats, which makes them all the more fun given the filling. They’re stuffed with three kinds of cheese, alfredo sauce, and baby spinach. The final touch is a single shrimp on top. Delish.
4. Stuffed Shells Bolognese
Coming home to a rich and meaty Bolognese sauce is exactly what you need after a long day. But why not try something even more comforting, like these stuffed shells with meaty sauce? This is like the elevated version of a traditional spaghetti Bolognese. Only the sauce is trapped in the pasta, so you don’t miss one bit. Stuffed with ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella, then drenched in Bolognese sauce, it doesn’t get much better. Until you add the extra cheese on top. Then it’s divine!
5. Cheesy Taco Stuffed Shells
Taco Tuesday just got a whole lot more interesting! Simply swap out those corn tortillas for jumbo pasta shells, and you’ve got a Mexican-Italian fusion meal the whole family will crave again and again. From the ground beef, taco seasoning, salsa, and boat load of cheese, these cheesy taco stuffed shells are packed full of Tex-Mex flavors. My family goes nuts over these ‘tacos,’ and I guarantee yours will too. Serve with toppings like sour cream, olives, and chopped green onions.
6. Stuffed Rigatoni
Have you ever thought about stuffing rigatoni? No? Well, you need to give it a try! One bite of this stuffed rigatoni recipe, and you won’t be able to eat those shells any other way. For this version, you’ll make a quick filling of ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, eggs, and parsley. You’ll need to pipe that into the tubes and stand them up in a baking dish (that part is optional, but it looks terrific!). Top it off with a ground turkey tomato sauce and more cheese, then bake until it bubbles. Serve this tasty pasta bake with some fresh, crispy bruschetta for a delicious meal. Wow!
7. Italian Stuffed Shells with Meat and Cheese
These easy-peasy Italian stuffed shells with meat and cheese are perfect for busy weeknights. Jumbo pasta shells are stuffed with cheese, covered with meat sauce, and topped with even more cheese. Talk about a cheese lover’s dream come true! Everything’s baked casserole-style, which is great for busy bees. Serve it up family style and watch it disappear.
8. Cheese Manicotti
Check out this cheese manicotti if you need a simple, flavor-packed dish. It’s veggie-friendly and 100% picky-eater-approved. Manicotti are long pasta shells that literally translate into “little sleeves.” So, they’re basically begging to be stuffed! You’ll use a blend of ricotta, garlic, mozzarella, Parmesan, eggs, and herbs. They’re then covered with sauce, topped with cheese, and baked in the oven.
9. Ricotta Stuffed Shells
Comforting, satisfying, and oh-so cheesy, these ricotta stuffed shells are simply marvelous. These cheesy, sauce-covered pasta shells only take 10 minutes to prep. Then, you just whack them in the oven and let them bake. It’s that easy. Serve this with garlic bread and a fresh garden salad for the perfect meal. Delish!
10. Sausage Caprese Stuffed Shells
get ready to wow the whole family because these sausage and Caprese stuffed shells go down a treat! The shape of the jumbo pasta shells allows them to hold so much goodness. And you’ll take advantage of every inch. Stuffed with sausage, crushed tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese, all that’s left is a garnish of fresh basil and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
11. Cheeseburger Stuffed Shells
Can’t choose between burgers or pasta for dinner? With this recipe, you don’t have to. Give these cheeseburger stuffed shells a try, and you’ll never look at a boring bowl of pasta the same way again. The secret to the cheeseburger flavor is all in the filling. And between the ground beef, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, mustard, and cheese, this recipe is on point. Spoon the cheeseburger filling into the shells, bake, and enjoy!
12. Enchilada Stuffed Shells
These creative enchilada stuffed shells are so good, you might never have to buy tortillas again. They’re packed with refried beans, ground beef, and shredded cheese. With all the great flavors of enchiladas in every bite, what’s not to love? Everything’s smothered in tangy enchilada sauce and topped with even more cheese.
13. Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Shells
Do you love chicken parm? Then get ready to be obsessed with these chicken parmesan stuffed shells – I know I am! From the creamy ricotta and chicken filling to the topping of crunchy Panko breadcrumbs, this is light, creamy, and to die for. I like to use shredded chicken in this recipe as it adds a nice bite to the soft ricotta filling. But you can use chicken breast pieces or ground chicken too. It’s delicious no matter what.
14. Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Shells
If you’re on the hunt for a tasty weeknight dinner, try these spinach artichoke stuffed shells! These babies taste just like your favorite dip. And with a mixture of ricotta, spinach, and artichokes, it’s no wonder! Once drenched in a delicious marinara sauce, they’re topped with shredded mozzarella. Then, they’re baked to cheesy perfection in just 20 minutes! Uh…I’ll take seconds, please!
15. Spinach and Ground Beef Stuffed Shells
Stuffed pasta shells are a fabulous way to sneak in more veggies. If you chop them small enough, mix them with the meaty, cheesy filling, and smother it all in sauce, you’ll never spot them! Spinach and ground beef stuffed shells are perfect for fooling picky eaters. And being so cheesy and delicious, I bet they’ll ask for them again. Butter yet, you can have this fool-proof dish on the table in under 30 minutes. Hungry bellies await!
16. 30-Minute Tuscan Tortellini with Sausage and Spinach
Need dinner on the table lickety-split? This 30-minute Tuscan tortellini with sausage and spinach has you covered. Cheese tortellini drenched in an impressive, savory sauce of Italian sausage, spinach, and chicken broth? Sign me up! Every bite of those chewy, cheesy, tender tortellini is magic. And they cook straight from frozen!
17. Four Cheese Manicotti
Cheese lovers, rejoice! Just when you thought the cheese manicotti above was as good as it gets – here we have something even better. Four times better, to be exact! Between the cottage cheese, ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella, this is about as cheesy as cheesy can be. Bake this in the oven until it’s golden brown and bubbling, and you’ll have a hard time waiting for it to cool.
18. Butternut Squash and Cheese Stuffed Pasta Shells
Fancy some fall flavors with your stuffed shells? Whip up this butternut squash and cheese recipe! Stuffed with herb-roasted butternut squash and ricotta cheese, these jumbo shells are baked in marinara sauce until the cheese is all ooey-gooey. It’s loaded with flavor and goodness, and it looks fantastic too.
19. Ricotta Stuffed Shells with Broccoli
These ricotta stuffed shells with broccoli are perfect for meatless Monday. The filling features cooked broccoli, cheeses, and seasonings. It’s so easy to prep and super simple to make ahead of time and freeze. Bring this dish to your next backyard BBQ, potluck, or family dinner, and it’s bound to get a chorus of ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’!
20. Parmesan Chicken Manicotti
Craving Italian food? There’s no need to head out to a restaurant when you can cook up a whole Italian feast at home! Stuffed with shredded chicken, ricotta, Parmesan, eggs, and oregano, it’s a fun twist on a classic dish. Serve it with garlic bread, salad, and some Zuppa Toscana soup for the full restaurant experience.
21. Ground Turkey Stuffed Shells
Giant pasta shells stuffed to the brim with ground turkey, cheese, and tomato sauce? Yes, please! Believe it or not, this recipe only needs 20 minutes of prep work. Then, just throw it in the oven until it’s ready. Easy-peasy, oh-so-cheesy. Serve this dish with rosemary and sea salt dinner rolls or yummy cheddar bay biscuits. They’re perfect for mopping up all that sauce.
22. Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells with Bacon and Ranch
Casseroles are some of the most delicious and easy-to-make meals around. And when they taste as good as these chicken alfredo stuffed shells, they’ll be staples in your house in no time. Jumbo pasta shells are stuffed with rotisserie chicken, bacon, and Ranch seasoning. To finish, everything’s topped with an oozy, cheesy alfredo sauce. This recipe calls for powdered Ranch dressing mix. But if you want a more Italian flavor, try powdered Italian salad dressing instead.
23. Stuffed Shells Recipe with Bacon & Sausage
If you’re a fan of all things ‘meat lover’s,’ you’ll fall for these stuffed shells with bacon and sausage at first bite. This recipe calls for Jimmy Dean Refrigerated Roll Sausage and Wright Brand Hickory Smoked Bacon. That combo works wonders together, but you can use whatever you have on hand. Just don’t skimp out on the three-cheese filling!
24. Roasted Pumpkin and Ricotta Stuffed Pasta Shells
Is there anything more mouthwatering than a bubbling pasta dish straight out of the oven? I don’t think so! These roasted pumpkin and ricotta stuffed pasta shells taste as good as they look – and they look phenomenal. And that creamy garlic and Parmesan sauce is a dream. Make it once, and you’ll want it on everything.
25. Mexican Stuffed Shells
If you’re craving Mexican food but forgot to pick up tortillas, give this recipe a whirl! Loaded with tasty fillings, from taco seasoned ground beef to red enchilada sauce, there’s so much to love in every bite. Once baked, top the shells with sour cream, avocado, olives, or additional salsa.
26. Sausage Stuffed Shells with Spinach
If you’re on the hunt for an easy meal the whole family will love, try out these sausage stuffed shells with spinach. They’re overflowing with sausage, spinach, tomato, and ricotta. And they’re easy to modify too. Pick a different kind of sausage – like something smoky or spicy – and you’ve got a whole new dinner. Make this dish even simpler by prepping the filling ahead of time. Then, all you have to do is stuff the shells and bake!
27. Pizza Stuffed Shells
Do something a little different for pizza night this week and serve up these fantastic pizza stuffed shells instead! Each jumbo pasta shell is stuffed with all the great flavors of a pepperoni pizza. They’re always a massive hit at the dinner table. Serve these tasty shells with some garlic knots for a hearty meal. Delish! Click on a star to rate it!
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