Creamy Cajun Chicken Stuffed Shells Recipe
Creamy Cajun Chicken Stuffed Shells is a flavorful Italian-American casserole featuring jumbo pasta shells stuffed with a rich blend of shredded chicken, creamy cheeses, and Cajun seasoning, baked in a savory marinara and chicken broth sauce, resulting in a spicy, creamy, and comforting dish perfect for family dinners.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 24 jumbo pasta shells
Filling
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
Others
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the stuffed shells.
- Cook Pasta Shells: Boil the jumbo pasta shells in salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly so they are easier to handle.
- Prepare Stuffing: In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the shredded cooked chicken, Cajun seasoning, ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, softened cream cheese, heavy cream, and minced garlic to create a creamy, flavorful filling.
- Stuff Shells: Carefully spoon the chicken and cheese mixture into each cooked pasta shell, ensuring they are well-filled, then place the stuffed shells evenly in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Mix Sauce and Pour: In a separate bowl, mix together the marinara sauce and chicken broth. Pour this sauce mixture evenly over the stuffed shells in the baking dish.
- Initial Bake: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to heat through and meld the flavors.
- Final Bake and Broil: Remove the foil, drizzle the top with olive oil for a glossy finish, and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes or until the sauce is bubbly and the top turns golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the stuffed shells for a burst of color and fresh herb flavor before serving hot.
Notes
- Adjust the quantity of Cajun seasoning to suit your preferred spice level.
- Using homemade marinara sauce can enhance the richness and freshness of this dish.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 4 stuffed shells)
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg
Keywords: Creamy Cajun Chicken Stuffed Shells, Cajun chicken pasta, stuffed pasta shells, baked chicken shells, creamy chicken casserole
