hrimp and Crab Stuffed Shells Recipe: A Dreamy, Creamy Seafood Bake

Are you looking for a truly magnificent dish that marries the comforting embrace of a pasta bake with the refined, delicate notes of seafood? A meal that feels wonderfully indulgent yet is remarkably simple to prepare at home? We think we’ve found just the thing. This recipe for Shrimp and Crab Stuffed Shells is the definitive crowd-pleaser, offering a rich, creamy, and profoundly satisfying dish that is sure to have everyone asking for more.

We have designed this guide to be your reliable partner in the kitchen, leading you through each stage to guarantee your seafood pasta bake is nothing short of a triumph. From choosing the finest ingredients to mastering the perfectly luscious sauce, we are here to help you create an unforgettable meal for your loved ones. Let’s begin this culinary adventure and cook something truly special together.

Why You’ll Adore This Recipe

Before we even step into the kitchen, let’s explore why this dish is destined to become one of your most treasured recipes. We feel it strikes the perfect balance between sophistication and comfort, making it wonderfully suited for a variety of special events.

• Restaurant-Quality at Home: We will guide you in creating a dish that looks and tastes as if it has been prepared in a top-tier Italian eatery, all for a fraction of the price.
• Incredibly Flavourful: The medley of sweet crab meat, tender prawns, creamy cheeses, and a sumptuous tomato sauce builds layers of flavour that are utterly irresistible.
• Perfect for Special Occasions: Whether you are celebrating a birthday, an anniversary, or hosting a festive gathering, this crab and shrimp pasta bake lends an air of luxury to any table.
• A True Crowd-Pleaser: We have yet to find anyone who does not instantly fall for these stuffed shells. It’s a surefire success with both adults and older children.

The Stars of the Show: Our Ingredients for Shrimp and Crab Stuffed Shells

Exceptional meals always start with exceptional ingredients. For this recipe, we rely on a beautiful combination of fresh seafood, velvety cheeses, and fragrant herbs and spices. Here is everything we will need to create our masterpiece.

For the Pasta and Filling:

• Jumbo Pasta Shells: You will require approximately 24-28 large pasta shells. We find it wise to cook a few extra, as some can break while boiling.
• Raw Prawns (Shrimp): Around 225g of raw, peeled, and deveined prawns. We suggest dicing them into small, manageable pieces.
• Crab Meat: 225g of good-quality crab meat. You can opt for fresh, tinned, or frozen (ensure it’s thawed). Using a blend of white and brown meat yields the richest flavour.
• Ricotta Cheese: 425g of full-fat ricotta provides the luscious, creamy foundation for our filling.
• Mozzarella Cheese: 150g of grated mozzarella, which we will divide. This is key for achieving that delightful, stringy cheese pull.
• Parmesan Cheese: 60g of freshly grated Parmesan, with a little extra reserved for the topping. It introduces a salty, nutty complexity.
• Egg: One large egg, lightly whisked, which will help to bind our filling ingredients together.
• Garlic: 2 cloves, finely minced. After all, what pasta dish is complete without a hint of garlic?
• Fresh Parsley: A small bunch, finely chopped, to add a bright, fresh note.
• Seasoning: Salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusted to your preference.

For the Creamy Tomato Sauce:

• Passata or Crushed Tomatoes: A 700g jar or tin. Using passata will result in a silkier sauce.
• Onion: 1 small onion, finely diced.
• Garlic: 2 more cloves, minced.
• Double Cream (Heavy Cream): 120ml is all it takes to make the sauce wonderfully rich and decadent.
• Dried Oregano: 1 teaspoon, for that quintessential Italian aroma.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Just a pinch is optional but adds a lovely, gentle warmth.
• Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon, for sautéing our aromatics.

Let’s Get Cooking: Step-by-Step Instructions

And now for the most enjoyable part! We have organised the entire method into clear, straightforward steps. Follow our lead, and you will have a stunning dish of stuffed shells assembled and ready for the oven before you know it.

1. Cook the Pasta Shells: In a large pot, bring generously salted water to a vigorous boil. Add the jumbo pasta shells and cook them following the directions on the package until they are al dente (retaining a slight firmness). It is vital not to overcook them, as they will soften further in the oven. Drain the shells with care and rinse them under cool water to halt the cooking. Set aside.
2. Prepare the Sauce: As the pasta is cooking, we can begin our sauce. In a large frying pan or saucepan, heat the olive oil over a medium flame. Add the diced onion and cook for about 5 minutes, until it becomes soft and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for one more minute, until it smells fragrant.
3. Simmer the Sauce: Pour in the passata, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes (if you’re using them). Season with salt and pepper. Let the sauce come to a gentle simmer and leave it to cook for around 10 minutes; this allows the flavours to deepen and marry. To finish, stir in the double cream until it’s smoothly incorporated, then take the pan off the heat.
4. Make the Seafood Filling: Take a large mixing bowl and combine the ricotta, half of the grated mozzarella, the grated Parmesan, the beaten egg, 2 minced garlic cloves, and the chopped parsley. Mix everything together thoroughly. Now, gently fold in the chopped prawns and the crab meat. Season with a touch of salt and pepper, keeping in mind that the Parmesan already contributes saltiness. This forms the delicious core of our creamy seafood pasta recipe.
5. Assemble the Dish: Start by preheating your oven to 190°C (170°C Fan / Gas Mark 5). Take a 9×13 inch baking dish and spread a thin layer of the tomato sauce—about one-third of it—across the bottom. This clever step prevents the shells from sticking.
6. Stuff the Shells: Using a small spoon, carefully fill each cooked pasta shell with our seafood and cheese mixture. Arrange the filled shells side-by-side in the baking dish with the opening facing up.
7. Top and Bake: Pour the rest of the sauce evenly over the stuffed shells. Scatter the remaining grated mozzarella and an extra dusting of Parmesan cheese over the top. Cover the dish with aluminium foil and bake for 25 minutes.
8. Final Touches: After 25 minutes have passed, remove the foil and continue to bake for another 10-15 minutes. The dish is ready when the cheese is beautifully melted, golden brown, and bubbling. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving, as this helps the shells to firm up slightly and makes serving easier.

Watch and Learn: A Visual Guide

For many of us, a visual demonstration can be incredibly helpful! We have sourced a wonderful, easy-to-follow video that illustrates how to make Shrimp and Crab Stuffed Shells from beginning to end. Seeing a chef in motion can demystify any steps you are unsure of and boost your cooking confidence.

Pro Tips for Perfect Seafood Stuffed Shells

Our goal is to help you make this dish absolutely flawless. Here are some expert pointers we have gathered over the years to elevate your seafood stuffed shells from simply great to truly unforgettable.

Choosing the Best Seafood

The quality of your seafood is paramount. For the prawns, we favour using raw ones because they cook perfectly inside the shells, staying succulent and tender. Pre-cooked prawns have a tendency to become tough. For the crab, fresh lump crab meat is undoubtedly the best choice, but a high-quality tinned or frozen variety will also work splendidly. Just remember to drain it very well to prevent the filling from becoming watery.

Don’t Overcook the Pasta

This is perhaps the most frequent mistake! We cannot emphasise this enough: cook your shells just to al dente. They will continue to soften as they bake by absorbing moisture from the sauce and filling. Starting with slightly underdone pasta is the secret to achieving the perfect final texture. For more guidance on this, we find the guide on how to cook pasta perfectly from BBC Good Food to be an invaluable resource.

Customise Your Filling

Please feel empowered to make this recipe your own! Adding a handful of chopped fresh spinach (squeezed of all excess water) to the filling is a fantastic variation. You could also exchange the mozzarella for another cheese that melts well, such as Fontina or Provolone, to introduce a new flavour dimension. If you are a true seafood aficionado, looking at other recipes can spark inspiration. For instance, if you adore the sweetness of crab, you might also fall in love with our recipe for Tasty Louisiana Crab Cakes for another superb seafood treat.

Serving and Storing Your Masterpiece

What to Serve with Your Stuffed Shells

These Shrimp and Crab Stuffed Shells are substantial enough to be a complete meal, but a few simple accompaniments can complement them beautifully. We particularly enjoy serving them with:

• A crisp green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette to provide a refreshing contrast to the richness.
• Warm, crusty garlic bread, perfect for soaking up every last drop of that delectable sauce.
• Steamed or roasted green vegetables, such as asparagus or broccoli.

Storing and Reheating

Leftovers are a wonderful bonus! You can store any remaining stuffed shells in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, simply place them in an oven-proof dish, cover with foil, and bake at 175°C (155°C Fan) for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. Alternatively, individual portions can be reheated in the microwave.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use imitation crab meat?

Although you technically can, we strongly encourage using real crab meat to achieve the best possible flavour and texture. Imitation crab, which is typically made from surimi, has a far milder taste and a slightly rubbery consistency that cannot compare to the luxurious quality of the genuine article.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Of course! This recipe is ideal for preparing in advance. You can fully assemble the dish up to 24 hours before you plan to bake it. Just follow all the steps right up to the point of baking, then cover the dish securely with foil and place it in the refrigerator. When you are ready to cook, you may need to add an extra 10-15 minutes to the initial baking time to account for it starting from cold.

Can I freeze shrimp and crab stuffed shells?

Yes, this dish is very freezer-friendly. For the best outcome, assemble the shells in a freezer-safe baking dish, but do not bake it. Cover it tightly, first with a layer of cling film and then with a layer of foil. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. To cook, allow it to thaw completely in the refrigerator overnight, then bake according to the recipe instructions.

What’s a good substitute for ricotta cheese?

If you cannot get hold of ricotta or would rather use something else, full-fat cottage cheese (with any excess liquid drained away) makes for a fine substitute. For an even creamier result, you could use mascarpone, although this will make the filling considerably richer.

A Dish Worth Celebrating

We genuinely see our Shrimp and Crab Stuffed Shells recipe as more than just food; it is an event. It offers the perfect opportunity to transform a simple evening into a memorable occasion or to dazzle your guests with your culinary prowess. The creamy, cheesy filling, brimming with sweet prawns and crab and enveloped in a sublime tomato cream sauce, is the epitome of comfort and elegance in a single dish. For another brilliant prawn and pasta creation that is packed with flavour, be sure to check out The Ultimate Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta Recipe.

With that, we warmly encourage you to head to your kitchen, assemble your ingredients, and give this magnificent recipe a go. We are quite certain you will be thrilled with the outcome.

Have you had a chance to make this dish? Do you have a personal touch you add? We would be delighted to hear from you! Please feel free to leave a comment and a rating below, and do not forget to share your wonderful creations with us on social media!