– 12 large pasta shells
– 1 cup cream cheese, softened
– 1 cup cooked shrimp, chopped (or any seafood of your choice)
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
– 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
– 1 garlic clove, minced
– 1 teaspoon lemon juice
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
– 2 cups marinara sauce (for topping)
– Additional mozzarella cheese for sprinkling on top
Making Seafood & Cream Cheese Stuffed Shells is straightforward if you follow these steps:
1. Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta shells according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. Prepare Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, chopped cooked shrimp, grated Parmesan cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, parsley, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix until well blended.
4. Stuff Pasta Shells: Use a spoon to fill each cooked pasta shell with the seafood cream cheese mixture. Place the stuffed shells in a greased baking dish.
5. Add Marinara Sauce: Pour marinara sauce over the stuffed shells, ensuring they are well covered. Sprinkle additional mozzarella cheese on top.
6. Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
7. Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the dish cool for a few minutes before serving.
These steps will guide you to create a delicious seafood delight that everyone will enjoy!