Creamy Garlic Shrimp Stuffed Shells

These Creamy Garlic Shrimp Stuffed Shells are filled with tender shrimp, ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and herbs, then baked in a rich garlic cream sauce until hot and bubbly. Because the shells can be assembled ahead of time, this recipe works well for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.

Why This Recipe Works

These Creamy Garlic Shrimp Stuffed Shells combine tender seafood, creamy cheese, and rich garlic sauce for a comforting pasta dinner that feels special without being overly complicated.

• Rich, creamy filling: Ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan create a smooth, cheesy filling that complements the shrimp.
• Tender, flavorful shrimp: Cooking the shrimp with garlic and butter adds savory flavor to every bite.
• Homemade garlic cream sauce: The sauce keeps the stuffed shells moist while adding richness and flavor.
• Perfect for special occasions: This seafood pasta looks impressive enough for entertaining but is also great for family dinners.
• Easy to prepare ahead: You can assemble the shells in advance and bake them when you’re ready to serve.

Ingredients

Stuffed shells

• 20 jumbo pasta shells
• 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the creamy garlic sauce

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For topping

• Remaining mozzarella cheese
• Remaining Parmesan cheese
• Chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Preheat oven: Preheat to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook pasta: Boil jumbo shells until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. Cook shrimp: Sauté shrimp in butter with garlic and seasonings until pink and cooked through. Chop into small pieces.
4. Make filling: Combine cooked shrimp, ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and seasonings in a bowl.
5. Prepare sauce: Melt butter in a skillet, add garlic, heavy cream, and Parmesan. Simmer until slightly thickened.
6. Assemble: Spread some sauce in the baking dish. Stuff each shell with shrimp filling and arrange over the sauce.
7. Add topping: Pour remaining sauce over the shells and sprinkle with mozzarella.
8. Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake another 10–15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
9. Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.

If you love creamy seafood dinners, try my One-Pan Creamy Lemon Orzo Salmon for another comforting meal packed with fresh flavor.

Recipe Notes for Garlic Shrimp Stuffed Shells

Because shrimp cook quickly, slightly under-cooking them before baking helps keep them tender instead of rubbery.

Also, cook the jumbo shells only until barely al dente. Softer shells are more likely to tear while you fill them.

Freshly grated Parmesan is best for the creamy garlic sauce because it melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese.

If you prefer a looser sauce, stir in an additional splash of cream or chicken broth before pouring it over the shells.

Make-Ahead Tip

You can assemble the Creamy Garlic Shrimp Stuffed Shells several hours ahead of time. Cover the baking dish and refrigerate it until you are ready to bake. However, because the dish will be cold, you may need to add about 5 extra minutes to the covered baking time.

Garlic Shrimp Stuffed Shells Recipe Card

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Servings: 5 to 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen shrimp for stuffed shells?

Yes! Frozen shrimp works well for this recipe. First, thaw it completely and pat it dry. Then, cook and chop the shrimp before adding it to the cheese filling.

Can I make creamy garlic shrimp stuffed shells ahead of time?

Absolutely! Assemble the stuffed shells up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate them covered. When you’re ready to serve, bake until heated through, allowing a little extra time if the dish is cold.

How do I keep stuffed shells from drying out?

Make sure the pasta shells are well coated with garlic cream sauce before baking. Also, cover the baking dish with foil during the first part of baking to retain moisture. Remove the foil near the end so the cheese can turn lightly golden.

Looking for another easy shrimp dinner? My Garlic Butter Shrimp and Rice combines tender shrimp, savory garlic butter, and fluffy rice for a satisfying meal.