🦞 Seafood Stuffed Shells (Lobster, Crab & Shrimp) 🍤
Creamy, cheesy, and packed with succulent seafood, these stuffed shells are an impressive but easy dinner for special occasions or date nights!
🍽️ Ingredients
For the Filling:
-
12-15 jumbo pasta shells (cooked al dente)
-
1 cup lump crab meat (fresh or canned, drained)
-
1 cup cooked shrimp, chopped
-
1 cup cooked lobster meat (or sub more crab/shrimp)
-
8 oz cream cheese, softened
-
½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
-
¼ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
-
2 cloves garlic, minced
-
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
-
1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
-
½ tsp lemon zest
-
Salt & pepper to taste
For the Sauce:
-
2 cups alfredo sauce (store-bought or homemade)
-
½ cup heavy cream (or milk for lightness)
-
¼ cup white wine (optional, sub broth)
-
1 tbsp butter
-
1 tsp garlic powder
Topping:
-
½ cup mozzarella/Parmesan mix
-
2 tbsp panko breadcrumbs (for crunch)
-
Fresh parsley or chives
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Prep Shells:
-
Cook jumbo shells al dente (1-2 mins less than package time). Drain, rinse in cold water, and set aside.
2️⃣ Make Filling:
-
In a bowl, mix cream cheese, Parmesan, mozzarella, garlic, Old Bay, lemon zest, and parsley.
-
Gently fold in crab, shrimp, and lobster (don’t overmix to keep chunks intact).
3️⃣ Assemble:
-
Spread ½ cup sauce in a greased 9×13 baking dish.
-
Stuff each shell with 1-2 tbsp seafood filling and arrange seam-side up.
4️⃣ Make Sauce:
-
In a saucepan, melt butter, add white wine (simmer 1 min), then stir in alfredo sauce, cream, and garlic powder. Pour over shells.
5️⃣ Bake:
-
Top with cheese + panko. Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 mins. Uncover, broil 2-3 mins until golden.
6️⃣ Garnish & Serve:
-
Sprinkle with fresh herbs and serve with lemon wedges.
💡 Tips & Swaps
🔹 Shortcut: Use pre-cooked seafood mix from the grocery store.
🔹 Lighter Version: Swap cream cheese for ricotta + Greek yogurt.
🔹 Freezer-Friendly: Assemble unbaked, freeze, and bake later (add 10-15 mins).
Why You’ll Love It:
✅ Restaurant-worthy but easy!
✅ Versatile—swap seafood for mushrooms or spinach for vegetarian.
✅ Perfect for holidays (Christmas, Valentine’s Day!)
Pair with garlic bread and a crisp white wine. Bon appétit!
