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Alfredo Stuffed Shells Recipe
Pamela Dunlap

Alfredo Stuffed Shells Recipe

Alfredo Stuffed Shells are not just a meal; they’re an experience. Bursting with flavor and an array of textures, they transform the humble pasta shell into something divine. With creamy cheese and tender chicken beautifully encased in a pasta shell, then baked to bubbly perfection, these shells are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Plus, they’re surprisingly easy to prepare!
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings: 1
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 600

Ingredients
  

  • To create these delightful stuffed shells gather the following ingredients:
  • - 20 large jumbo pasta shells cooked and drained
  • - 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • - Salt and black pepper to taste
  • - Olive oil for frying the chicken
  • - 3/4 cup ricotta cheese
  • - 3/4 cup cottage cheese
  • - 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese plus more for topping
  • - 2 cups Parmesan cheese plus more for topping
  • - 2 large eggs
  • - 1/4 cup fresh parsley minced
  • - 2 tablespoons fresh basil minced
  • - 4 tablespoons butter
  • - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • - 2 cups whole milk
  • - 1 cup heavy cream plus more for consistency
  • - 3 cloves garlic minced
- Optional: 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning for added flavor
- Optional: 1/2 cup spinach, chopped for added nutrition

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • grill pan or skillet
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Saucepan

Method
 

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
  1. First things first, let's preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). I season my chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper, ensuring that every bite will be flavorful. In a grill pan or skillet heated over medium, I drizzle some olive oil and lay the chicken breasts down. Cook them for about 6-8 minutes on each side, or until they're cooked through and have nice grill marks. Once done, I remove them from the heat, let them rest for a few minutes, and then shred the meat using two forks.
Step 2: Mix the Cheese Filling
  1. In a medium bowl, I combine the ricotta, cottage cheese, mozzarella, and one cup of Parmesan cheese. Next, I crack in the eggs and sprinkle in the minced parsley, making sure to add some salt, black pepper, and the shredded chicken as well. For a silkier consistency, if my mixture feels too thick, I splash in a bit of the heavy cream. I mix everything together until it’s well combined and creamy, then set it aside.
Step 3: Create the Alfredo Sauce
  1. Moving on to the sauce! In a large skillet over medium heat, I melt the butter. Once melted, I sprinkle in the flour and whisk it together, cooking until the roux is golden brown. I then slowly pour in both the milk and heavy cream, continuing to whisk to avoid lumps. This part is crucial; I keep stirring for a few minutes until the sauce thickens. Afterward, I toss in the minced garlic, another cup of Parmesan, salt, pepper, and the fresh basil. I make sure to taste it and adjust the seasonings to my liking.
Step 4: Assemble the Dish
  1. Now comes the fun part! I pour one cup of the warm Alfredo sauce into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Using a spoon, I generously fill each jumbo shell with the cheesy chicken mixture and lay them face down in the dish. Once they are all nestled in, I pour the remaining sauce over the top and sprinkle on extra mozzarella and Parmesan for that delightful crispy topping.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
  1. Finally, I cover the dish with aluminum foil and pop it in the oven for about 25-30 minutes until the cheese is melty and bubbly. As the fragrance wafts through my kitchen, I can hardly wait to dive in! I serve these stuffed shells with a fresh side salad to balance out the richness.

Nutrition

Calories: 600kcal

Notes

- Make sure to cook your pasta shells al dente, as they will finish cooking in the oven.
- Consider adding a layer of sautéed spinach into the cheese mixture for added color and nutrients.
- If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Feel free to prepare the filling ahead of time and assemble before baking for an easy weeknight dinner.
- Don’t skip the resting time for the chicken; it makes shredding easier and results in a juicier filling.

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