Description
Indulgent garlic butter chicken alfredo stuffed shells bring Italian comfort cuisine to your dinner table with creamy, cheesy perfection. Pasta shells packed with tender chicken and rich alfredo sauce promise a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Stuffed Shells Ingredients:
Main Protein:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
Cheeses:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1.5 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 0.5 teaspoon nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
Dairy and Fats:
- 5 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups heavy cream
Pasta and Toppings:
- 18–20 jumbo pasta shells, cooked
- 0.5 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded (for topping)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Activate the oven to 375°F, preparing a perfect cooking environment for the stuffed shells.
- Boil pasta shells until perfectly tender yet firm, then drain and allow to cool completely.
- Create a flavorful chicken base by warming butter in a skillet, sautéing garlic until aromatic, then incorporating cooked chicken with Italian seasoning and spices.
- Blend ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses with the seasoned chicken mixture, ensuring thorough and even distribution of ingredients.
- Craft the creamy Alfredo sauce by melting butter, introducing garlic, then slowly incorporating heavy cream and seasonings. Simmer gently while stirring, gradually introducing Parmesan until the sauce reaches a luxurious consistency.
- Establish a rich foundation by spreading a layer of Alfredo sauce across the baking dish, then meticulously fill each pasta shell with the cheese and chicken mixture.
- Generously cascade the remaining Alfredo sauce over the stuffed shells, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Distribute an additional layer of mozzarella cheese across the top, creating a golden, bubbling surface.
- Bake for 25 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and develop a beautiful golden-brown crust.
- Finish by scattering fresh parsley over the dish, adding a vibrant touch of color and fresh flavor before serving piping hot.
Notes
- Customize the chicken by using rotisserie chicken for a quicker preparation or swap with shredded turkey for variety.
- Reduce the richness by using half-and-half instead of heavy cream, creating a lighter Alfredo sauce without compromising flavor.
- Make it gluten-free by substituting regular pasta shells with gluten-free pasta shells and ensuring all other ingredients are gluten-free certified.
- Meal prep friendly: Assemble the dish ahead of time and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve, making it perfect for busy weeknights or advance planning.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 48 g
- Saturated Fat: 29 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg