Description
Creamy chicken broccoli alfredo stuffed shells deliver comfort on a plate, blending Italian pasta brilliance with hearty ingredients. Cheesy pockets of savory goodness promise to satisfy pasta cravings with each delightful, gooey bite you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins and Pasta:
- 20 jumbo pasta shells
- 2 cups (250 g / 8.8 ounces) cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
Cheese and Dairy:
- 1 cup (100 g / 3.5 ounces) ricotta cheese
- 1 cup (100 g / 3.5 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup (50 g / 1.8 ounces) grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 tablespoons (60 g / 2.1 ounces) unsalted butter
- 2 cups (480 ml / 16.2 fluid ounces) heavy cream
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 ½ cups (150 g / 5.3 ounces) steamed broccoli, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Topping Cheese:
- ½ cup (50 g / 1.8 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup (25 g / 0.9 ounces) grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta foundation by immersing jumbo shells in generously salted boiling water. Cook until tender yet firm, then carefully drain and cool under cold water to halt the cooking process.
- Craft the luxurious filling by combining shredded chicken, tender steamed broccoli florets, creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella, nutty Parmesan, whisked egg, aromatic garlic powder, and a delicate blend of salt and pepper. Thoroughly incorporate all ingredients until uniformly mixed.
- Develop the silky Alfredo sauce by gently melting butter in a saucepan. Introduce minced garlic and allow it to release its fragrant essence. Stream in heavy cream, allowing the mixture to thicken and transform into a velvety consistency. Whisk in Parmesan cheese until achieving a smooth, glossy texture.
- Orchestrate the assembly by preheating the oven to 375F. Create a foundational layer of Alfredo sauce in a baking dish. Meticulously stuff each pasta shell with the prepared chicken-broccoli mixture, nestling them carefully within the sauce-lined vessel.
- Crown the dish with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan, creating a decadent cheese blanket. Shield with aluminum foil and bake, allowing flavors to meld and cheese to transform into a golden, bubbling masterpiece.
- After baking, allow the dish to rest briefly, permitting flavors to settle. Optional fresh parsley garnish adds a vibrant finishing touch before serving this comforting culinary creation.
Notes
- Perfectly cook pasta shells by keeping them slightly firm to prevent mushiness when baking, ensuring they hold the filling without falling apart.
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quick shortcut that adds extra flavor and saves preparation time without compromising taste quality.
- Customize broccoli texture by chopping into smaller pieces to distribute evenly throughout the filling, making each bite more balanced and enjoyable.
- Lower-fat version works great by substituting heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk and using reduced-fat cheeses without losing rich, creamy flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg