Description
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta:
- 26 jumbo pasta shells
For the Filling:
- ¾ cup Parmigiano Reggiano, grated
- 8 oz whole milk mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 12 oz whole milk ricotta cheese
- ¾ tsp fresh rosemary, minced
- Pinch of nutmeg
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Pumpkin Cream Sauce:
- 4 tbsp butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ¾ tsp nutmeg
- 15 oz pumpkin puree
- 1 ½ cups half and half
- ¾ cup Parmigiano Reggiano, grated
- 1 ½ tsp fresh rosemary, minced
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
- Boil the jumbo pasta shells in salted water until al dente, about 10-12 minutes.
- Drain the pasta and set it aside to cool while you prepare the sauce and filling.
Step 2: Make the Pumpkin Cream Sauce
- In a large sauté pan over low heat, melt the butter.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 2–3 minutes, until fragrant.
- Stir in the nutmeg and cook for an additional minute.
- Whisk in the pumpkin puree, half and half, grated Parmigiano Reggiano, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
- Stir until the sauce is smooth and creamy, and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes to combine the flavors.
Step 3: Prepare the Filling
- In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmigiano Reggiano, minced rosemary, pinch of nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
- Mix well until the filling is smooth and creamy.
Step 4: Assemble the Dish
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Stuff each jumbo shell with the cheese mixture, packing it in gently but firmly.
- Place the filled shells, seam-side up, into the pumpkin cream sauce in a sauté pan or a baking dish.
- Optionally, top the shells with additional shredded mozzarella for a gooey, cheesy topping.
Step 5: Bake
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and the sauce is heated through.
- Remove from the oven and let the dish cool for 5 minutes before serving. The sauce will thicken slightly as it cools.
Notes
- Make-ahead option: Assemble the dish up to a day ahead and refrigerate. Bake it fresh the next day for an easy dinner.
- For a vegan version: Substitute the dairy ingredients with plant-based alternatives such as vegan mozzarella, ricotta, and butter.
- Cheese variations: If you prefer a different flavor profile, you can use goat cheese, provolone, or a blend of your favorite cheeses for the filling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed shell (approximately 4-5 stuffed shells per serving)
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 75mg