Description
Cheesy Chicken Shells emphasize the joy of family meals with their comforting flavors and straightforward preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
- 20 jumbo pasta shells
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 1/2 cups steamed broccoli, finely chopped
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups Alfredo sauce
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a roaring boil. Carefully add the jumbo pasta shells and cook them until they are al dente, which should take about 8-9 minutes. After draining the pasta, rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and set aside until you’re ready to fill them.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, finely chopped broccoli, ricotta cheese, softened cream cheese, sour cream, and three-quarters of the mozzarella cheese along with the grated Parmesan. Season this mixture with garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Blend everything together until it reaches a smooth and creamy consistency.
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and pour 1 cup of Alfredo sauce at the bottom. Take each pasta shell and fill it with the creamy chicken mixture. Arrange the shells in a single layer in the baking dish. Pour the remaining Alfredo sauce over the top, and sprinkle the rest of the mozzarella cheese and any additional Parmesan if desired.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 25 minutes before removing the foil and allowing it to continue baking for another 10-15 minutes until the tops are golden and bubbly. Let the dish rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For a more pronounced cheese flavor, consider mixing in some cheddar or pepper jack cheese.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
Nutrition
- Calories: 600 kcal
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Protein: 40 g