Best Baked Shells Recipes

CRUSTY BAKED SHELLS & CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Fill a large pot with water, add 2 tablespoons salt, and bring to a boil. Add the pasta and cook al dente, according to the instructions on the package. Since it will be baked later, don't overcook it! Drain and pour into a very large bowl.
• Meanwhile, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large (12-inch) saute pan over medium-high heat, add half the cauliflower in one layer, and saute for 5 to 6 minutes, tossing occasionally, until the florets are lightly browned and tender. Pour the cauliflower, including the small bits, into the bowl with the pasta. Add 3 more tablespoons of oil to the saute pan, add the remaining cauliflower, cook until browned and tender, and add to the bowl.
• Add the sage, capers, garlic, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper to the bowl and stir carefully. Stir in the Fontina. Transfer half of the mixture to a 10 x 13 x 2-inch rectangular baking dish. Spoon rounded tablespoons of ricotta on the pasta and spoon the remaining pasta mixture on top. Combine the panko, Pecorino, parsley, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a small bowl and sprinkle it evenly on top. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until browned and crusty on top. Serve hot.

TACO SALAD WITH BAKED SHELLS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in taco seasoning, water and cumin. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5-7 minutes or until thickened. , Meanwhile, place each tortilla in a microwave-safe 7-in.-diameter shallow bowl, forming a shell. Spritz with butter spray. Microwave two at a time on high for 2 to 2-1/2 minutes or until crisp and lightly browned. Carefully remove from bowls to serving plates., In a microwave-safe bowl, combine refried beans and salsa. Cover and microwave on high for 1-1/2 to 2 minutes or until heated through. Spoon into tortilla shells. Top with the beef mixture and cheese. Serve with lettuce, olives, onions and sour cream.

BAKED SHELLS AND BROCCOLI WITH HAM AND CHEESY-CREAMY CAULIFLOWER SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add cauliflower, garlic, shallots, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook until softened but not brown, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with flour; stir to coat well.
• Gradually stir in milk; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; gently simmer until cauliflower is very soft, about 15 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes. Transfer all to a blender, and puree with nutmeg and half the pecorino until smooth, about 2 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta until slightly tender but not fully cooked, about 5 minutes. Drain well; return to pot. Add ham, broccoli, and cauliflower sauce; toss to combine. Transfer to a ovenproof 3 1/2-quart baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining pecorino, and bake until bubbling in center, about 30 minutes. Heat broiler, and broil until golden brown on top, 1 to 2 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes. Divide among dishes, top with breadcrumbs, and serve immediately.

BAKED STUFFED PASTA SHELLS

Steps:

• In an 8 quart pot, bring water to a boil and cook shells for 8 minutes or until al dente.
• Drain and cool immediately with cold water.
• Drain and place open side down on paper towels.
• In a medium bowl, combine the rest of ingredients except the spaghetti sauce.
• Reserve the 1/4 cup of Mozzarella.
• Place a thin layer of spaghetti sauce into the bottom of a 12 x 9 x 2 inch baking dish.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Spoon the cheese mixture into each pasta shell and place open side up, in a single layer, in prepared pan.
• Pour the rest of sauce over the stuffed shells.
• Loosely cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes.
• During last 5 minutes of baking, remove foil and sprinkle remaining Mozzarella cheese on top.
• Bake 5 more minutes.
• Garnish with fresh chopped basil.

BAKED SHELLS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium heat. Salt the water, add the shells and cook for 2 to 3 minutes less than the package directions. Heads up: Remove and reserve 1 cup of cooking water just before draining.
• Meanwhile, heat a medium-sized pot or high-sided skillet over medium heat with the extra-virgin olive oil. Add the onions and garlic and saute for 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the spinach, pulling it apart as you add it, and season with a little freshly grated nutmeg and salt, and pepper, to taste. When the spinach mixture is warmed through, transfer it to a small dish and reserve. Return the pot to the heat, add the butter and let it melt. Stir in the tomatoes and break them up with a spoon. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, add the basil leaves, and cook to thicken the sauce, about 7 to 8 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Drain the pasta and return it to the hot pot. To the pasta, add the spinach, reserved pasta cooking water, ricotta cheese, and half of the Parmigiano-Reggiano. Adjust the salt and pepper, to taste, and transfer it to a baking dish. Top the pasta mixture with the tomato sauce, mozzarella, and remaining Parmigiano. Bake until the cheeses are melted and bubbly, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the shells from the oven and serve.

BAKED BROCCOLI-AND-ARTICHOKE SHELLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Cook pasta in a pot of salted boiling water 4 minutes. Add broccoli and cook 2 minutes more; drain. Combine panko and 2 tablespoons Parmigiano.
• In a saucepan, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to paper towels. Add butter to pan; melt. Whisk in flour; cook 1 minute. Slowly whisk in milk. Bring to a simmer; cook, whisking, until thickened slightly, about 4 minutes. Stir in remaining Parmigiano, cheddar, artichokes, broccoli, pasta, and bacon; season to taste.
• Transfer mixture to a 2-quart baking dish. Sprinkle with panko mixture. Bake until golden and bubbling, about 20 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.

BAKED SAUSAGE-STUFFED JUMBO PASTA SHELLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425F (220C)
• In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta shells until tender, but firm; about 14 minutes. Drain and set aside for future use.
• Meanwhile, in a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat; cook onion, green pepper and garlic until softened, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a bowl; stir in sausage, egg and parsley.,
• Place 1 heaping tbsp mixture in each of the shells. Arrange in greased, 8 inch glass baking dish.
• In a bowl, stir together tomatoes, oregano and salt Spoon over stuffed shells.
• Sprinkle with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses; cover and bake in 425F oven for 20 minutes.
• Uncover and bake further 10 minutes, or until cheese is golden and instant read, digital thermometer inserted in the centre of shell registers 160°F.

BAKED CHEESEBURGER-STUFFED SHELLS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) baking dish with cooking spray.
• Cook and drain pasta as directed on package. Cool 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in 10-inch skillet, cook beef over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink; drain. Stir in Worcestershire sauce and seasoned salt. Stir in Cheddar cheese.
• In small bowl, mix tomato sauce, ketchup and mustard. Spread in baking dish.
• Use spoon to stuff beef mixture into shells; arrange in tomato sauce mixture in baking dish. Pour cheese sauce over all.
• Cover with foil; bake 20 minutes.
• Top with remaining ingredients.

BAKED PASTA SHELLS WITH SAUSAGE AND GREENS

Steps:

• Place racks in middle and upper third of oven; preheat to 325°F. Heat a large, deep ovenproof skillet over medium-high. Pour in ¼ cup oil; add sausage and break up into small pieces. Cook, undisturbed, until browned underneath, about 4 minutes. Stir a few times; cook, undisturbed, until cooked through, about 3 minutes.
• Add garlic, chopped sage, and red pepper flakes to sausage and cook, stirring, until garlic is golden, about 2 minutes. Mix in half-and-half and simmer until thickened slightly, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Stirring constantly, gradually add two-thirds of the cheese a little at a time, letting it melt before adding more. Cook, stirring, until sauce is smooth and thick, about 3 minutes; season with salt. Remove from heat.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta in a pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally and adding broccoli rabe during the last 2 minutes, until very al dente, about 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain in a colander, shaking well. Return pasta and broccoli rabe to pot.
• Add sausage mixture to pasta and toss to coat; transfer to skillet. Cover with foil and bake on middle rack until pasta is al dente and sauce is bubbling, 30-40 minutes. Remove from oven. Heat broiler.
• Top pasta with remaining cheese. Toss sage leaves and remaining 1 Tbsp. oil in a small bowl; arrange over pasta. Broil on upper rack until cheese is browned in spots, about 5 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.

BAKED SHELLS AND BROCCOLI WITH HAM AND CHEESY-CREAMY CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add cauliflower, garlic, shallots, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook until softened but not brown, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with flour; stir to coat well.
• Gradually stir in milk; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; gently simmer until cauliflower is very soft, about 15 minutes.
• Let cool for 5 minutes. Transfer all to a blender, and puree with nutmeg and half the pecorino until smooth, about 2 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta until slightly tender but not fully cooked, about 5 minutes. Drain well; return to pot.
• Add ham, broccoli, and cauliflower sauce; toss to combine.
• Transfer to a ovenproof 3 1/2-quart baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining pecorino, and bake until bubbling in center, about 30 minutes.
• Heat broiler, and broil until golden brown on top, 1 to 2 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes.
• Divide among dishes, top with breadcrumbs, and serve immediately.

BAKED SHELLS AND BROCCOLI WITH HAM AND CHEESY-CREAMY CAULIFLOWER SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add cauliflower, garlic, shallots, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook until softened but not brown, about 10 minutes, stirring occa­sionally. Sprinkle with flour; stir to coat well 2. Gradually stir in milk; bring to a boil. Re­duce heat; gently simmer until cauliflower is very soft, about 15 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes. Transfer all to a blender, and pu­ree with nutmeg and half the pecorino until smooth, about 2 minutes. 3. Preheat oven to 400". Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta until slightly tender but not fully cooked, about 5 minutes. Drain well; return to pot. Add ham, broccoli, and cauliflower sauce; toss to com­bine. Transfer to a ovenproof 3 1/2-quart baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining pecorino, and bake until bubbling in center, about 30 min­utes. Heat broiler, and broil until golden brown on top, i to 2 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes. Divide among dishes, top with breadcrumbs, and serve immediately.

CHICKEN AND MUSHROOM BAKED SHELLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until the garlic is golden, about 2 minutes. Add both cans of the tomatoes and 1 cup of water. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat slightly and simmer rapidly, uncovered, until thickened, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in the ricotta and season with salt and pepper.
• While the sauce simmers, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the mushrooms and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer the mushrooms to a large bowl.
• Cook the shells in the salted boiling water until very al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain the pasta and add it to the mixing bowl along with the mushrooms.
• Add the tomato sauce, rotisserie chicken, the mozzarella and half of the parmesan to the bowl and stir well to combine. Transfer the pasta to a 3- to 4-quart baking dish and top with the fontina cheese and the remaining Parmesan. Bake, uncovered, until browned, about 15 minutes. Let the pasta rest for about 10 minutes before serving.

BAKED SHELLS WITH WINTER SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add onions; season with salt and pepper. Cover; cook until onions are soft and release liquid, 15 minutes. Uncover; raise heat to medium. Cook, stirring, until onions are browned, 20 to 25 minutes. Stir in 1 teaspoon rosemary.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water 2 minutes less than package instructions suggest. Drain, reserving 1 1/2 cups cooking water. Return pasta to pot.
• Stir squash and reserved pasta water into onions; simmer 2 minutes. Toss squash mixture and 1/2 cup Parmesan with pasta. Transfer to prepared dish.
• Combine bread cubes with remaining Parmesan, rosemary, and oil; season with salt and pepper. Top pasta with bread cubes; bake until golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes.

BAKED PASTA SHELLS STUFFED WITH SPINACH AND RICOTTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a very large saucepan, gently fry the garlic and onion in the oil for about 5-10 minutes until translucent. Add the tomato purée and refill the cans with water about three-quarters full, giving them a shake to mop up any tomato. This will give you about 4 1/2 cups water. Add it to the pan. Bring the sauce to the boil and then partially cover and simmer for about 25 minutes.
• Soak the fresh spinach in the sink to get rid of any mud, drain, and then cook in just the water that's still clinging to the leaves until it has wilted down and cooked through, then drain well and chop roughly (you can just go at it with scissors while it's sitting in the colander). If you're using frozen chopped spinach, make sure - once it's thawed - that you've pressed out every last bit or water; you can.
• Empty the ricotta into a bowl, add the eggs and then grate in about 3 ounces (6 tablespoons) of the Parmesan. Add the spinach when it is cool, squeezing out (again) any excess water with your hands, then stir everything together and season it well with the nutmeg and salt and pepper.
• Cook the pasta shells in a large pan of water, for about 5 minutes once they have come back to the boil, then drain and leave them to get cool enough for you to stuff them without burning your fingers. Tip the shells into a dish, of approximately 15 x 13 inches, so that they lie in a single layer, then fill each shell with a heaped teaspoon of the spinach and ricotta filling. Ladle the tomato sauce over the pasta, and grate over the remaining Parmesan.
• Bake for about 20 - 30 minutes, by which time the pasta will be tender and the light tomato sauce hot and bubbling. Remove from the oven and let stand for a while to cool down slightly before serving.

BAKED PASTA SHELLS WITH RICOTTA-REAL SIMPLE

Steps:

• Cook shells 7-8 minutes until almost al dente. Drain and return to the pot. Drizzle with oil and toss.
• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Meanwhile, combine ricotta, salt, 1/8 tsp of pepper, egg yolks, and 1/8 cup parmesan.
• Melt the butter in skillet over medium heat. Add the herb of choice and cook until butter is brown.
• Spread 1/4 cup of the marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish or casserole.
• Carefully spoon about 1 1/2 tbsp of the ricotta filling into each shell and place into the casserole dish.
• Pour the rest of the sauce over the shells.
• Combine the Parmesan cheese with 1/4 tsp pepper and sprinkle over the shells.
• Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes--sauce should be bubbly. Remove foil and bake for 10 minutes until lightly golden brown.
• Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

BAKED SHELLS AND MEATBALL CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Boil pasta according to directions- making sure to not overcook (al dente)!
• If meatballs are frozen, thaw--I like to brown mine either on the stove or in the oven.
• Combine the ricotta, sour cream and Italian seasoning- I add an extra dash of garlic and freshly ground pepper.
• Spray a 9x13 deep baker with Pam.
• Spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of baking pan.
• Top this with 1/2 of the pasta shells drained.
• Top with the ricotta mixture.
• Top with all the meatballs.
• Then layer with remaining 1/2 of shell pasta.
• Top with all the sauce.
• Top with the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese (I just sprinkle a little on top).
• Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes until heated through and cheese is bubbly!

BAKED SHELLS IN SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• In a medium bowl combine tomato sauce, mushrooms and tofu. Stir in cooked pasta. In a separate, small bowl combine mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
• In a small casserole dish layer pasta mixture and cheeses.
• Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until lightly browned.

BAKED EGGS IN TOMATO SHELLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Core the tomatoes and cut off a small slice from the tops of the tomatoes. Reserve.
• Run paring knife around the inner rim of the tomatoes. Carefully scoop out the pulp to make a hollow shell or case. Reserve the pulp.
• Sprinkle the insides with salt and pepper. Place the tomatoes on a rack. Turn upside down to drain.
• Chop the reserved tomato slices and pulp coarsely.
• Combine the chopped tomatoes, onions, garlic, basil, olive oil, salt and pepper. Scatter the mixture evenly over the bottom of an ovenproof baking dish large enough to hold the tomatoes snugly.
• Place the tomatoes right side up and break an egg inside each one. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Scatter the Parmesan cheese over evenly.
• Place in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Do not let the yolks become too firm. Serve immediately and garnish with watercress sprigs.

BAKED STUFFED SHELLS (CONCHIGLIE RIPIENE AL FORNO)

Steps:

• Place the ricotta in a cheesecloth-lined sieve and set the sieve over a bowl. Cover the ricotta with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours or up to one day. Discard the liquid in the bowl.
• Pass the tomatoes through a food mill fitted with the fine disc. (If you don't have a food mill, seed the tomatoes and place them in a food processor. Process the tomatoes, using quick on/off pulses, until they are finely ground. Don't overprocess, or you'll incorporate air into the tomatoes and change their texture and color.) Meanwhile, bring 6 quarts of salted water to a boil in an 8-quart pot over high heat.
• Slice half the mozzarella thin and cut the remaining half into 1/4-inch cubes. Turn the drained ricotta into a mixing bowl. Mix in the mozzarella cubes, grated cheese, and parsley. Season to taste with salt and white pepper. Beat the egg well and stir it into the ricotta mixture.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Scatter the garlic over the oil and cook, shaking the pan, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Lower the tomatoes close to the skillet and carefully pour them into the skillet. Add the crushed red pepper and season lightly with salt. Bring the sauce to a quick boil, then adjust the heat to simmering. Cook until the sauce is lightly thickened, about 30 minutes. Stir the basil into the sauce a few minutes before it is done.
• Meanwhile, stir the shells into the boiling water. Return to a boil, stirring frequently. Cook the pasta, semi-covered, stirring occasionally, until softened but still quite firm, about 7 minutes. Fish the shells out of the water with a large skimmer and carefully lower them into a bowl of cold water. Drain them carefully.
• Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line the bottom of a 15-10-inch baking dish with about 3/4 cup of the tomato sauce. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the ricotta mixture into each shell. The shell should be filled to capacity but not overstuffed. Nestle the shells next to each other in the baking dish as you fill them. Spoon the remaining sauce over the shells, coating each one. Arrange the slices of mozzarella in an even layer over the shells. Bake until the mozzarella is browned and bubbling, about 25 minutes. Remove, and let stand 5 minutes before serving.

SHIRLEY'S BAKED SCALLOPS AND SHELLS

Steps:

• Boil a pot of water and cook the pasta shells as directed on the box.
• When done, drain the pasta shells and place the shells in a mixing bowl.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Line a baking dish with aluminum foil.
• Rinse the scallops and pat dry with paper towels.
• Place scallops in a bowl and toss with the olive oil.
• Remove the scallops to the lined baking dish and bake them in a 350 degree pre heated oven for about 15-20 minutes or until they are white in color.
• When the scallops are done, add them to the pasta shells and mix together with the white clam sauce and the dill weed.
• Turn out into a 9x13 baking dish and sprinkle the seasoned breadcrumbs all over the top.
• Bake for another 15 minutes.
• When done, you can sprinkle parmesan cheese over it if you wish.
• Enjoy!