If you loved the Million Dollar Spaghetti trend, then you’re going to love these Million Dollar Stuffed Shells.
Now, these aren’t your average stuffed shells. These Million Dollar Stuffed Shells are an elevated version that you have to try.
It doesn’t get much better than Meaty, spiced marinara stuffed shells, topped with a creamy Alfredo sauce. The dish is topped with a blend of cheeses and fresh herbs and baked in the oven until bubbly and melted. YUM!
What is Million Dollar Stuffed Shells?
Sooooo, the other day, I planned to make stuffed shells and realized I didn’t grab ricotta for my usual stuffed shell recipe. I didn’t want to go back to the grocery store, so I decided to pivot and create these Million Dollar Stuffed Shells which came out even better than expected.
Million Dollar Stuffed Shells put a twist on the viral Million Dollar Spaghetti trend that literally took over social media last year. This version combines Alfredo and spaghetti vibes, all within the delightful embrace of stuffed shells. And let’s be honest, everything is better with shells, right?
How to make Million Dollar Stuffed Shells.
If you enjoyed my million dollar spaghetti, this is a similar take using shells. With a few tweaks from my original recipe, this dish comes together in about 35 minutes. The result? Oven-baked, meaty, and rustic shells smothered marinara sauce , alfredo and topped in more cheese, delivering a delicious and hearty meal.
I honestly love the combination of red and white sauces in one dish. I think the red sauce cuts the creaminess of the Alfredo and cheese. It’s honestly the perfect combination.
And if you don’t believe me, I recently made this dish for my friend who just had a baby and she sent me a message saying…
“girl, these shells.. fire emoji x 10 “
– new mama Chas
Okay, enough with the chatter. Let’s get into the recipe shall we.
This recipe is pretty simple. I used my favorite jar sauce and doctored it up with some ground turkey and a ton of fresh herbs and spices.
Step 1: First, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the jumbo shells according to the package. Drain and rinse with cold water then set aside.
Step 2: Next, sautè onions and bell pepper. For a few minutes before adding in garlic. Cook until fragrant, then add in ground turkey, and seasonings. Cook until browned. Pour in your favorite tomato pasta sauce.
Step 3: Make the Alfredo sauce. Sautè garlic and shallots in butter then stir in heavy cream. Bring to a simmer. Stir in cheese and season with salt and pepper. Thin out the sauce with pasta water or chicken stock if needed.
Step 4: In a baking dish, add a layer of red sauce to the bottom of the pan. Then, stuff the cooked shells with the red meat sauce and place them in the baking pan. Drizzle the Alfredo sauce on top of the shells then top with shredded Italian cheese and Colby jack.
Step 5: Cover the pan with foil and bake in a 375 degree oven for 25 minutes covered. Then uncovered for 5-10 minutes. Top with parsley. Enjoy!
Million Dollar Stuffed Shells Ingredients
Shells- I used Barilla shells.
Favorite Jar Tomato Sauce– I like Rao’s marinara sauce. Or Prego Tomato Basil sauce.
Tomato paste- I like to add this to jar sauce to give it richer flavor.
Heavy Cream– used to make the creamy Alfredo sauce
Ground turkey- feel free to use ground beef or Italian sausage.
Herbs & spices- I used a variety of herbs and spices to elevate the flavors in this dish.
Shallot – minced
Garlic– fresh is best. You can also use frozen garlic cubes or garlic paste..
Cheese- I used Italian cheese blend for the Alfredo. And Italian cheese blend and Colby jack for the top of the pasta bake.
Olive oil– you can use grapeseed or avocado oil if preferred.
Butter- unsalted butter.
These Stuffed shells come together pretty quickly and make a delicious weeknight meal.
Million Dollar Stuffed Shells FAQ
Can I make Gluten free? of course, just swap out for your favorite gluten free stuffed shells.
Can I make meatless? Yes! feel free to swap the ground turkey for mushrooms.
Leftovers? Just like spaghetti, these Stuffed Shells taste even better as leftovers. The flavors blend beautifully, resulting in an even more delightful experience the next day. Enjoy this pasta gem throughout the week; it reheats wonderfully and retains its deliciousness.
More Pasta Recipes To Try
Chicken Rasta Pasta
Pan Roasted Zucchini Pasta
Creamy Cajun Pasta
Easy Asparagus & Cherry Tomato Pasta w/ Shrimp
Spicy Harissa Pasta
If you try these Million Dollar Stuffed Shells, please be sure to leave a comment, and or tag me on Instagram @cookwithci. I would love to see your recreations and hear your thoughts.
Million Dollar Stuffed Shells
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- jumbo shells
- 1/2 onion diced
- 1/2 bell pepper diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 jar favorite tomato pasta sauce
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp fennel
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes use to your discretion
- salt + pepper to taste
- 1 cup Italian mix cheese shredded
- 1 cup shredded Colby jack
- Italian parsley optional
For the Alfredo
- 1/2 stick unsalted butter
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 shallot minced
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 cup shredded Italian cheese blend
- 1/2 cup mozzarella or parmesan
- salt + pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook jumbo shells according to the package. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- In a large skillet, heat up olive oil and add in onions and green peppers. Sautè for about 3 minutes, then add in garlic and sautè for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Add in ground turkey and cook until brown. When it's almost done, season with garlic powder, onion powder, Italian season, red pepper flakes, fennel seeds and salt and pepper to taste.
- Pour in your favorite jar of tomato sauce. simmer for 10 minutes, mixing frequently.
For the Alfredo
- In a saucepan, melt ½ stick of butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and shallots and sautè until fragrant, about 3 minutes.
- Stir in heavy whipping cream and bring to a simmer. Stir in Italian cheese blend and parmesan. Mix until the sauce is melted and smooth. Add in ¼ cup of pasta water, mix until well combined.
- Season with salt, pepper and roasted garlic powder.
To assemble
- To the baking dish, add a layer of tomato sauce. Stuff each individual shell with the red meat sauce, about 1-2 spoonfuls. Pour over Alfredo sauce.
- Top with shredded mozzarella. Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Wait at least 10 minutes before cutting and serving. Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy.
Did you make it?
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