Oh, Italian-American food! It just wraps you up like a warm hug, doesn’t it? There’s something so incredibly comforting about a gooey, cheesy, tomatoey pasta dish that just screams ‘home.’ When I think of those perfect weeknight dinners that the whole family actually *wants* to eat, my mind immediately goes to something like these Delicious Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Shells. Honestly, the first bite of these shells, packed with flavor and baked to perfection, takes me right back to my own childhood kitchen, with my mom humming as she pulled a bubbly dish out of the oven. It’s familiar, it’s satisfying, and it’s just downright delicious!
Why You’ll Love This Delicious Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Shells Recipe
Seriously, why wouldn’t you love a dish that ticks all the boxes for an amazing dinner? This recipe is:
- Super Comforting: It’s got that classic Italian-American vibe that just makes everyone feel happy. Think tender shells stuffed with chicken and cheese, all swimming in marinara. Yum!
- Flavor Packed: We’re talking seasoned chicken, creamy ricotta, salty Parmesan, and that rich marinara sauce, all topped with melty mozzarella. It’s a flavor explosion in every bite!
- Easy to Make: Even though it looks fancy, it’s surprisingly straightforward. Most of the work is just mixing and stuffing – totally doable even on a busy weeknight!
- Family Approved: This is the kind of meal that gets rave reviews from picky eaters and adults alike. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for family dinners or when friends come over.
Ingredients for Delicious Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Shells
Alright, let’s talk ingredients! These are the building blocks for some seriously amazing stuffed shells. Don’t worry, it’s not a complicated list, and you probably have most of it in your pantry already. But trust me, using good quality stuff here really makes a difference!
- 12 jumbo pasta shells: Gotta have those big guys to hold all the yummy filling!
- 1 pound ground chicken: This is our main protein. You could use turkey too, but chicken has a great mild flavor here.
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese: For that creamy, dreamy texture in the filling. Whole milk ricotta is my go-to for richness.
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese: Adds a salty, nutty punch. Make sure it’s real Parmesan, not that powdery stuff in a cylinder if you can help it!
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley: Fresh herbs always brighten things up! Adds a lovely bit of color and freshness.
- 1 clove garlic, minced: Because, well, garlic! You can totally add more if you’re a garlic fiend like me.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Just to bring out all those other flavors.
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper: Freshly ground is best, but pre-ground works fine!
- 2 cups marinara sauce: This is what brings it all together. I love using a good quality store-bought one to save time, or you can use your favorite homemade sauce.
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese: The gooey, melty topping that makes everything magical. Pre-shredded is fine, but shredding your own is even better for melting!
See? Totally manageable! Just gather these up, and we’ll be well on our way to stuffed shell heaven.
Essential Equipment for Making Stuffed Shells
To whip up these delicious stuffed shells, you won’t need a chef’s coat or a fancy kitchen gadget collection. Just a few trusty basics will do the trick! You’ll want a large pot for cooking those jumbo shells – make sure it’s big enough so they don’t stick together. Grab a 9×13 inch baking dish; this is pretty standard and perfect for holding everything snugly. And of course, you’ll need the usual suspects:
- Measuring cups and spoons
- A good mixing bowl
- A spoon or spatula for mixing
- A colander for draining pasta
- A knife and cutting board (if you’re chopping fresh parsley!)
That’s really it! Simple, right? Having these ready means you can jump right into making the magic happen.
Step-by-Step Guide to Delicious Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Shells
Okay, deep breaths everyone! We’re about to put this amazing dish together. It sounds fancy, but honestly, watching it come together is half the fun. And the smell while it’s baking? Pure magic. Grab your ingredients and let’s do this!
Preparing the Pasta Shells
First things first, we need to get those jumbo shells ready. Cook them in a big pot of generously salted boiling water just until al dente. This means they should still have a little chew to them, not be mushy! Trust me on this one – overcooked shells will just fall apart when you try to stuff them. Drain ’em careful-like and maybe toss them with a tiny drizzle of olive oil so they don’t stick together while you make the filling.
Creating the Flavorful Chicken Filling
Now for the heart of our stuffed shells! In a good-sized bowl, grab your ground chicken. Toss in that creamy ricotta, grated Parmesan, fresh parsley, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. This is where you really want to get your hands in there ( or use a spoon, if you’re feeling less hands-on!). Mix it all up until it’s just combined. You don’t want to overmix, but make sure everything is nicely distributed so you get a bit of everything in every shell.
Assembling Your Delicious Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Shells
Alright, time to build these beauties! Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grab your 9×13 baking dish and spread about half of your marinara sauce on the bottom. This stops the shells from sticking and adds extra flavor. Now, take a stuffed shell and carefully fill it with that yummy chicken mixture. You want to get a good heaping spoonful in there, but don’t overstuff them so much they burst. Arrange them snugly in the dish, seam-side up if you can.
Baking and Resting for Perfect Results
Once all those shells are huddled together in the dish, pour the rest of that gorgeous marinara sauce all over the top. Then comes the best part – sprinkle that shredded mozzarella evenly everywhere! Pop it into your preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes. You’re looking for that cheese to be all melted, bubbly, and maybe a little golden brown. Before you dig in, though, do yourself a HUGE favor and let it rest for about 5-10 minutes. This lets everything settle and makes it so much easier to serve without losing any of that precious filling!
Oh, and if you’re using your own amazing homemade marinara, now’s the time to plug it! You can find my go-to marinara recipe right here – it’s a game changer!
Tips for the Best Delicious Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Shells
You know, a good recipe is a fantastic starting point, but sometimes those little extra touches are what take a dish from “really good” to “oh my goodness, I need more!” Here are a few of my favorite tricks to make these stuffed shells absolutely sing. I’ve learned these over the years, usually by making them a *lot*!
Quality Matters! Seriously, use the best ingredients you can. A really good marinara sauce makes a HUGE difference. And for the cheese? Shredding your own mozzarella from a block melts so much better than the pre-shredded stuff, which can sometimes have anti-caking agents that make it a bit gummy. Trust me, it’s worth the tiny bit of extra effort!
Make-Ahead Magic: This dish is a lifesaver for busy nights! You can totally stuff and assemble the shells earlier in the day. Just cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, you might need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time. It’s my secret weapon for having a home-cooked meal ready without the last-minute rush!
Spice It Up (or Down!): Don’t be afraid to customize! If you love a little kick, toss a pinch of red pepper flakes into the chicken filling. It adds a subtle warmth that’s really nice. On the flip side, if you know someone is sensitive to spice, just leave it out. It’s your kitchen, your rules!
Don’t Forget the Rest: I mentioned this in the steps, but it’s worth repeating. Letting the stuffed shells rest for about 5-10 minutes after they come out of the oven is CRUCIAL. It lets the cheese settle and the sauce thicken just a bit, making it so much easier to serve without everything falling apart. Patience, my friends!
Looking for even more pasta perfection? You should totally check out my roundup of other awesome pasta dishes; there are some real keepers in there!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Sometimes life throws you a curveball, or maybe you just have a bunch of something-or-other in the fridge! Don’t sweat it if you don’t have *exactly* what the recipe calls for. For the chicken, if you’re not feeling ground chicken, that’s totally fine. Ground turkey works beautifully, or even a finely chopped cooked chicken breast would be great in a pinch.
And cheese! Oh, cheese is so flexible. If you don’t have ricotta, a good dollop of cottage cheese (drained well!) can work. And while Parmesan is fantastic, a nice sharp Pecorino Romano would also be delicious. For the mozzarella, any good melting cheese will do – a blend of provolone and mozzarella is heavenly, or even a bit of Monterey Jack.
Serving Suggestions for Your Stuffed Shells
You’ve made this amazing Delicious Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Shells Recipe, but what else can you serve with it to make it a full meal? Don’t just serve it alone – let’s make it a feast! A simple, crisp green salad is always a winner. I love a good Caesar salad, and my creamy Caesar dressing pairs perfectly. Or, you could do a light Italian pasta salad – my zesty pasta salad is fantastic. And of course, some crusty garlic bread is non-negotiable for soaking up any extra sauce. Heaven!
Nutritional Information
Alright, let’s talk numbers! Keep in mind these are just estimates, okay? The actual calories and macros can shake out a little differently depending on the exact brands of ingredients you use and how generous you are with your stuffing and cheese! But for a serving of about 3 shells, you’re looking at roughly:
- Calories: 450
- Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Protein: 30g
It’s a satisfying meal that’s packed with protein and flavor, which is pretty darn awesome if you ask me!
Frequently Asked Questions About Delicious Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Shells
Got questions about these amazing stuffed shells? You’ve come to the right place! I’ve tried to think of everything you might be wondering about, but if I missed anything, just shout it out in the comments!
Can I make these Delicious Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Shells ahead of time?
Absolutely! This is one of my favorite make-ahead meals. You can totally stuff and assemble the shells in your baking dish a day in advance. Just cover it tightly with plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, you might need to add an extra 5-10 minutes to the cooking time, since it’s starting from cold. It’s perfect for getting a head start on dinner!
What if I don’t have ground chicken? Can I use something else?
Oh, for sure! If ground chicken isn’t your jam (or isn’t in the fridge!), ground turkey is a fantastic swap. It bakes up really nicely and has a similar mild flavor. You could even chop up some cooked chicken breast really fine if you have leftovers. Just make sure whatever you use is seasoned well!
Can I use a different type of pasta if I don’t have jumbo shells?
That’s a great question! While jumbo shells are definitely the star here because they’re perfect for stuffing, you *could* use large rigatoni or even large ziti if you’re in a pinch. They won’t hold quite as much filling, but you’ll still get that delicious chicken parm flavor. You could also just make it as a baked pasta dish without stuffing, just layer everything in the pan.
What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?
Leftovers are the best, right?! For the perfect reheat, I try to do it in the oven or a toaster oven if possible. Cover the dish with foil and pop it in a 350°F (175°C) oven until everything is heated through. This keeps the cheese melty and the sauce nice and saucy. Microwaving works too, but sometimes the pasta can get a little chewy.
Can I make these vegetarian?
You know, you totally could! While this is our Delicious Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Shells Recipe, you could easily swap out the chicken for some finely chopped, sautéed mushrooms and spinach, maybe with a little extra ricotta and Parmesan mixed in for richness. It would be a different dish, for sure, but still super delicious and cheesy!
If you love stuffed things but aren’t always in the mood for pasta, you might want to check out my stuffed bell peppers or some hearty veggie-stuffed peppers too!
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Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Shells
- Total Time: 45 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A classic Italian-American dish featuring large pasta shells filled with seasoned chicken and cheese, baked in marinara sauce.
Ingredients
- 12 jumbo pasta shells
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Cook pasta shells according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a bowl, combine ground chicken, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Stuff each cooked pasta shell with the chicken mixture.
- Arrange the stuffed shells in the baking dish over the sauce.
- Pour the remaining 1 cup of marinara sauce over the stuffed shells.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the sauce is heated through.
- Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the chicken mixture.
- Ensure your pasta shells are cooked just until al dente so they don’t fall apart when stuffing.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 shells
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: chicken parmesan, stuffed shells, pasta, Italian, dinner, baked pasta, comfort food