If you never forgot about stuffed shells, congratulations—you’re obviously winning at life. For the rest of us, why did these gooey, comfort food delights ever fall out of favor? But wait—before we go on the nostalgia tour with the tomato sauce, ricotta and mozz, that never hit a wrong note, just think of all the directions these scrumptious baked pasta vessels can take your family dinner tonight.
Looking for somewhere to start? This recipe has all the components of a home run: the tomato sauce, a savory ricotta filling flecked with fresh parsley and the shells, soft and yielding in some spots, toasted and crisp at the tips. But here’s the best part: No par-boiling of the pasta is necessary.
A relatively watery sauce (made by just adding water) and a tight foil top allows the pasta to cook right in the casserole, absorbing the flavorful liquid and rendering this (our favorite) a one-pan dinner.
Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells
Eaten even over plain pasta, this leek-infused chicken alfredo is perhaps the best in its class. Stuff it inside some pasta shells, however, and those toasty tips and fresh chives just take it to a whole other level.
The Best Stuffed Shells
This is the recipe we developed to get as close to the stuffed shells we remembered as possible, but maybe a little better. The perfect blend of cheeses, a homemade tomato sauce and a whole lot of love.
Meat Lovers’ Pizza-Stuffed Shells
This one goes out to all those people who have a hard time deciding between pizza or pasta (i.e., all of us). And if there’s someone in the family who declares it’s pizza or bust, just bust out this mic-drop of a recipe.
Spinach and Artichoke Stuffed Shells
You know that favorite hot party dip that you can just eat and eat, the one where everyone goes, “Can we just make this dinner?” You’re welcome.
Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Shells
Chicken parm with pasta on the side? Sure, it’s a no-brainer. But tucking the parm right inside the shells is just fun. And starting with chicken tenders from the freezer case speeds up the process, too.
Mac and Cheese-Stuffed Shells
This riotous version of mac and cheese just aims to please. Even the visuals! Tiny shells within larger shells? Hilarious! But it’s not just a culinary pun. It’s got cream cheese and American for unctuousness, Cheddar for sharpness, a little dry mustard and paprika for some bite, and crushed cheese crackers on top for crunch. What’s not to love?
Butternut Squash-Stuffed Shells
If you’re looking for a really different incarnation for stuffed shells, now we’re getting somewhere. These take shells on a genuinely sophisticated journey, with butternut squash and spinach mingling with warming spices, fresh sage and thyme. But don’t worry, they’re topped with mozzarella, so they’re no less ooey-gooey than their more tomato-forward cousins.
