Description
Creamy Classic Alfredo Stuffed Shells bring Italian comfort straight to dinner tables with rich ricotta and parmesan nestled in tender pasta shells. Melted cheese and herbed sauce create a luxurious meal you’ll savor with every delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 2 chicken breasts, diced
- 1/4 block cream cheese
Pasta and Vegetables:
- 1 box jumbo shells
- 1 cup broccoli florets
Cheese and Dairy:
- 16 ounces (473 milliliters) heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup (30 grams) grated Parmesan
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) shredded Parmesan
- 1 cup (100 grams) mozzarella cheese
- 1 stick (113 grams) unsalted butter
Seasonings and Oils:
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Sazon
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Infuse diced chicken with olive oil and robust seasonings, allowing flavors to meld for a minimum of 30 minutes at room temperature.
- Sauté chicken in a blend of oil and butter for 6-7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Transfer chicken from pan. In the same skillet, quickly prepare broccoli until tender-crisp.
- Create a velvety sauce by gently sautéing minced garlic in butter. Incorporate cream and cream cheese, stirring continuously until sauce thickens. Enhance with selected seasonings and freshly grated Parmesan.
- Boil pasta shells to al dente perfection, carefully reserving 1/2 cup pasta water before draining to help bind sauce later.
- Combine cooked chicken, broccoli, assorted cheeses, and prepared sauce. Generously stuff the mixture into pasta shells, ensuring each shell is full and flavorful.
- Spread a thin layer of sauce across the baking dish. Arrange stuffed shells strategically, then drizzle additional sauce over top. Sprinkle with extra cheese and Italian seasoning for vibrant flavor profile.
- Bake in preheated 375°F oven for 15 minutes until cheese melts and edges become slightly crispy and golden.
Notes
- Marinate chicken longer for deeper flavor infusion, ideally up to 2 hours in refrigerator.
- Use fresh broccoli for maximum crunch and nutritional value, chopping into small uniform pieces ensures even cooking.
- Try cheese varieties like mozzarella or sharp cheddar to customize flavor profile.
- For gluten-free option, substitute pasta shells with zucchini boats or cauliflower shells to reduce carbohydrates.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 750 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 55 g
- Saturated Fat: 30 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 50 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg