Creamy Turkey Stuffed Pasta Shells Recipe
Delicious and hearty Turkey Stuffed Shells, featuring large pasta shells filled with a savory turkey and cheese mixture, baked to perfection for a comforting family meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 24 large pasta shells
Stuffing
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 3 cups marinara sauce
Instructions
- Cook the pasta shells: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta shells and cook them until al dente according to package instructions, usually about 10-12 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the turkey filling: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground turkey until fully browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat. Let it cool slightly.
- Mix the cheese filling: In a large bowl, combine the cooked turkey, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well to create a uniform filling.
- Stuff the shells: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce at the bottom of a baking dish. Carefully fill each pasta shell with the turkey and cheese mixture and arrange them in the baking dish.
- Add sauce and bake: Pour the remaining marinara sauce evenly over the stuffed shells. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until heated through and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from the oven, let cool for a few minutes, then serve warm. Optionally, garnish with fresh basil or extra Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- You can prepare the filling a day ahead and assemble the shells just before baking to save time.
- If you prefer, substitute ground turkey with ground chicken or lean beef.
- For a vegetarian option, replace the turkey with sautéed spinach or mushrooms.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
Keywords: turkey stuffed shells, baked pasta shells, ground turkey recipe, Italian stuffed shells, cheesy stuffed pasta
