Seafood Stuffed Shells: Creamy Lobster, Crab, and Shrimp Baked to Golden Perfection

This seafood stuffed shells recipe brings restaurant-style comfort to your kitchen with minimal fuss. Sweet lobster, flaky crab, and tender shrimp are folded into a creamy ricotta mixture and tucked into jumbo pasta shells for an impressive family meal. It bakes in a bright marinara and finishes with bubbling mozzarella and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Adventurous cooks who love stuffed dishes will also enjoy twists on breakfast classics like these breakfast stuffed puff pastry bars. The result is perfect for a weeknight treat or a special weekend dinner.

Why This Recipe Is a Great Choice

This dish feels fancy without being complicated, which makes it a showstopper for guests or a cozy solo feast. The use of pre-cooked seafood keeps the prep straightforward and speeds the assembly so you spend more time savoring than stirring. Filling jumbo shells makes portioning effortless and gives each plate a beautiful, rustic look. If you like generous, stuffed mains, you may also appreciate the satisfying heft of an egg stuffed meatloaf as another hearty option. The bake-and-serve format is forgiving, so small timing differences still yield gorgeous, melty results.

Flavor and Texture

Bright lemon and fragrant garlic lift the sweet seafood, while ricotta adds a silky creaminess that melts into the pasta. Parmesan brings savory depth and the mozzarella turns golden and irresistibly stretchy on top. Each bite delivers contrast between the tender shell, the creamy filling, and the rich tomato sauce. A final scattering of fresh parsley adds a clean herbaceous note and a pop of color that keeps the dish feeling fresh.

Ingredients

• 20 jumbo pasta shells
• 1 cup cooked lobster meat, chopped
• 1 cup cooked crab meat, chopped
• 1 cup cooked shrimp, peeled and chopped
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 jar (26 oz) marinara sauce
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Step by Step Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the pasta shells according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine the lobster, crab, shrimp, ricotta, 1/2 cup of mozzarella, Parmesan, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
4. Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce in the bottom of a baking dish.
5. Stuff each shell with the seafood mixture and place them in the baking dish.
6. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells and top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
7. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
8. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
9. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Tips for Best Results

Use perfectly cooked, chilled seafood to avoid overcooking during the bake. If your seafood is frozen, thaw thoroughly and pat dry to keep the filling from becoming watery. Reserve half a cup of the mozzarella in the filling so the topping will brown beautifully without the interior becoming overly dense. Warm the marinara slightly before spreading so it slides under the shells and prevents sticking. For extra brightness, add a little more lemon juice or a teaspoon of lemon zest to the filling.

Storage and Make Ahead

Assemble the shells and cover them tightly with plastic wrap or foil, then refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Baked leftovers keep well in an airtight container for one to three days in the refrigerator. Reheat gently in a 350°F oven until warmed through to preserve the creamy texture. For freezing, bake first, cool completely, then freeze in a sealed container for up to two months and thaw overnight before reheating.

Final Thought

Seafood stuffed shells turn a handful of quality ingredients into an elegant, comforting meal. They photograph beautifully for sharing and plate up like a special-occasion dish without hours of work. Whether you serve them on a weeknight or at a dinner party, they deliver warmth, flavor, and a touch of indulgence.

Conclusion

For additional technique notes and a similar tested recipe, check out this Seafood-Stuffed Shells Recipe.

Seafood-Stuffed Shells Recipe

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