Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box (12 oz) jumbo pasta shells
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
If you’re out of mozzarella, feel free to swap it for cheddar or any other melting cheese you love. And for a lighter option, you can substitute half of the heavy cream with milk.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a large baking dish with olive oil.
- Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and diced red bell pepper to the skillet. Cook for another 3 minutes until the pepper is slightly tender.
- Stir in the shredded chicken and Cajun seasoning, mixing well to combine flavors.
- In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Add the chicken mixture to the cheese blend, stirring until well combined.
- Fill each cooked shell with a generous spoonful of the chicken and cheese mixture. Place the filled shells in the prepared baking dish.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, salt, and pepper. Pour this creamy mixture evenly over the stuffed shells.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top of the shells.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
One of my favorite tips? Prepare the filling a day ahead to save time when you’re ready to cook. This dish is all about ease and flavor, so feel free to customize the spice level to your family’s liking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Creamy Cajun Chicken Stuffed Shells, recipe, cooking, food
