Indulge in restaurant-quality luxury at home with these Creamy Seafood Stuffed Shells. Jumbo pasta shells are filled with a decadent medley of shrimp, lobster, and crab, nestled in a rich spinach and cream cheese mixture, then baked in a luscious white wine cream sauce. Perfect for special occasions, dinner parties, or a cozy night in!
Why You’ll Love This Dish
- Decadent seafood filling: Shrimp, lobster, and crab combine for an indulgent, surf-and-turf twist.
- Rich and creamy sauce: Made with butter, white wine, cream, garlic, and Parmesan for deep flavor.
- Show-stopping presentation: Perfectly baked and topped with melted cheese, this dish looks impressive every time.
- Family-friendly elegance: A gourmet meal that’s surprisingly simple to prepare.
Ingredients
- For the Sauce: 1 tbsp butter, ½ tbsp butter, 1 tbsp flour, ½ cup heavy cream, ½ cup almond milk, ¼ cup dry white wine (or broth), 3 garlic cloves (minced), ½ cup grated Parmesan, ½ tsp Italian seasoning, salt & pepper
- Pasta: 20 jumbo pasta shells (12 oz package)
- Seafood Filling: 8 oz raw shrimp (peeled, deveined, chopped), 8 oz lobster meat, 8 oz cream cheese, 8 oz lump crab meat, 2 cups chopped fresh spinach (or thawed, drained frozen), 1/2 cup mozzarella, ¾ tsp Old Bay, salt & pepper
- Topping: ½ cup mozzarella, ¼ cup Parmesan, foil for baking
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Preheat oven to 350°F (175 °C). Cook jumbo shells in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce: In a saucepan, melt 1 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add flour, whisking into a roux. Slowly whisk in cream, almond milk, wine, garlic, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and salt/pepper. Simmer until thickened, stirring frequently. Remove from heat.
- Make the filling: In a bowl, combine seafood, spinach, cream cheese, ½ cup mozzarella, Old Bay, salt, and pepper. Mix until creamy and uniform.
- Stuff the shells: Spread a bit of sauce in the bottom of a greased baking dish. Spoon seafood filling into each shell and arrange them in the dish. Pour remaining sauce over the shells.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan, and bake uncovered another 10–15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley or extra Old Bay if desired.
Serving Suggestions
- With garlic bread: Perfect for sopping up every drop of creamy sauce.
- Light salad: Arugula or mixed greens with lemon vinaigrette to balance richness.
- Chilled white wine: Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc enhances the seafood flavors.
Tips & Variations
- Mix seafood: Use scallops or crab-only for a different flavor profile.
- Dairy substitute: Swap almond milk for whole milk or half-and-half.
- Make ahead: Assemble, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hrs before baking.
- Spice it up: Add red pepper flakes or Cajun seasoning for a kick.
Nutrition & Prep Info
- Servings: 6
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Seafood Stuffed Shells recipe takes stuffed shells up a notch with an indulgent seafood twist. Elegant enough for entertaining and comforting enough for a family dinner, it’s the perfect blend of sophistication and simplicity. Treat yourself—or impress your guests—with this luscious, creamy, shell-stuffed masterpiece.