Description
Creamy million dollar chicken alfredo stuffed shells bring Italian comfort to your dinner table with luxurious cheese and tender chicken nestled in perfectly cooked pasta shells. Rich flavors blend seamlessly, promising a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Shells:
- 12 large pasta shells
- 1 box jumbo shells
Chicken and Filling:
- 2 cups shredded chicken breast
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup cream cheese
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Sauce and Topping:
- 2 cups alfredo sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook jumbo shells in salted boiling water until al dente, about 8-9 minutes, then drain and set aside to cool slightly.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, ricotta, cream cheese, parmesan, minced garlic, egg, oregano, salt, and pepper, blending until smooth and well-incorporated.
- Whisk alfredo sauce and heavy cream together in a separate bowl, creating a luxurious and creamy base for the dish.
- Carefully stuff each cooled shell with the chicken and cheese mixture, ensuring a generous and even fill.
- Arrange the stuffed shells in the prepared baking dish, nestling them close together.
- Pour the alfredo cream mixture evenly over the shells, ensuring complete coverage.
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese across the top, creating a golden, melty surface.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and slightly golden.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.
- Drizzle with olive oil and melted butter for an extra layer of richness.
Notes
- Opt for rotisserie chicken to save time and add extra flavor complexity to the filling.
- Drain ricotta cheese thoroughly to prevent watery stuffed shells and ensure a creamy texture.
- Customize the dish by adding spinach or sun-dried tomatoes for a nutritional boost and varied taste profile.
- Make it gluten-free by using gluten-free jumbo shells and checking alfredo sauce ingredients for wheat-based thickeners.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 45g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 155mg