09/22/2026
Creamy Baked Seafood Stuffed Shells with Garlic Sauce 🦀🧀
Ingredients
• 12 jumbo pasta shells, plus a few extra in case some tear
• ½ lb shrimp, cooked, chopped small
• ½ lb crab meat, picked over for shells
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus a little extra for topping
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Garlic Sauce
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup milk
• ½ tsp paprika
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
Directions
1️⃣ Cook the shells: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the jumbo shells until just al dente, following the package time. Drain and rinse gently with cool water so they are easier to handle. Set aside.
2️⃣ Make the filling: In a bowl, mix the chopped shrimp, crab meat, ricotta, ¼ cup of the mozzarella, Parmesan, parsley, a small pinch of salt, and black pepper. Stir gently so the crab stays in nice pieces.
3️⃣ Start the garlic sauce: In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute.
4️⃣ Finish the sauce: Slowly whisk in the heavy cream and milk until smooth. Add the paprika, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 2–3 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce is lightly thickened but still pourable.
5️⃣ Fill the shells: Spread a few spoonfuls of sauce in the bottom of a greased baking dish. Spoon the seafood filling into each shell and arrange them in the dish.
6️⃣ Assemble the dish: Pour the remaining garlic sauce over the stuffed shells. Sprinkle the top with the remaining ¼ cup mozzarella and a little extra Parmesan.
7️⃣ Bake until bubbly: Bake at 375°F for 20–25 minutes, until hot, bubbly, and lightly golden on top.
8️⃣ Finish and serve: Sprinkle with extra parsley and let the shells rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 25 minutes | Serves: 4