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Creamy Garlic Seafood Stuffed Shells with Shrimp

Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Servings: 5
Calories: 430

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta & Shrimp Filling:
  • - 20-24 jumbo pasta shells par-boiled
  • - 1 lb medium to jumbo raw shrimp peeled, deveined, chopped, with 8-10 whole shrimp reserved for garnish
  • - 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil divided
  • - 4 cloves garlic minced
  • - 15 oz part-skim ricotta cheese
  • - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • - 1 cup shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese divided
  • - 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
  • - 1 large egg
  • - 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • - 1 tsp fresh lemon zest
  • - Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • - 3 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley finely chopped, divided
For the Lighter Garlic Cream Sauce:
  • - 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • - 3 cloves garlic minced
  • - 1 cup seafood stock or low-sodium vegetable stock
  • - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt at room temperature
  • - 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
  • - Cracked black pepper to taste

Method
 

Par-Boil the Pasta:
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook jumbo shells for 8 minutes (al dente). Drain, submerge in cool water, and lay flat on paper towels.
Sauté the Garlic & Shrimp:
  1. Heat 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté 4 cloves minced garlic for 1 minute. Add chopped shrimp and whole reserved shrimp, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Sauté 2-3 minutes until pink and opaque. Remove from heat and set reserved whole shrimp aside.
Prepare Cheese & Shrimp Filling:
  1. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, egg, Italian seasoning, 1/2 cup Parmesan, 1/2 cup mozzarella, and 2 tbsp parsley. Fold in the cooled chopped shrimp.
Prepare Lighter Garlic Sauce:
  1. In the same skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil and sauté 3 cloves minced garlic for 1 minute. Add seafood stock and bring to a simmer for 3 minutes. Reduce heat to low, whisk in 1/2 cup Parmesan, then stir in 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt until smooth and velvety.
Assemble:
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Pour half of the garlic cream sauce into a 9x13 inch baking dish. Pipe or spoon filling into each shell and arrange open-side up in the dish.
Sauce & Bake:
  1. Pour remaining garlic sauce over shells. Place reserved whole shrimp on top and sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella.
Bake:
  1. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake 5 minutes more until bubbling and lightly golden.
Garnish & Serve:
  1. Let rest 5 minutes. Garnish with remaining chopped parsley and cracked black pepper before serving.

Notes

- Do not use wine or pork in this recipe.
- Make ahead up to 24 hours before baking.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free jumbo shells.