Description
Welcome to the delightful world of comfort food with our Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Shells recipe. This dish expertly combines the rich flavors of creamy alfredo sauce with the tender textures of shredded chicken and fresh broccoli, all stuffed into perfectly cooked jumbo pasta shells. Ideal for a cozy family dinner or as a luxurious meal to impress guests, this recipe promises both satisfaction and elegance with every bite.
Ingredients
- 1 jar (16 oz) alfredo sauce
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 2 cups cooked broccoli, chopped
- 1 cup shredded cheddar (or mozzarella) cheese
- ¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 21 jumbo pasta shells, cooked
- 1½ – 2 cups spaghetti sauce (optional)
- Salt and Pepper to taste (if needed)
Step-by-step Directions
1. Preheat the Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it’s ready for baking the pasta shells.
2. Mix the Filling
In a large bowl, combine the alfredo sauce, shredded chicken, chopped broccoli, cheddar cheese, and parmesan. Mix these ingredients thoroughly to create a uniformly creamy filling for the pasta shells.
3. Prepare the Baking Dish
Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. This step helps in preventing the pasta from sticking to the dish during the baking process.
4. Add the Spaghetti Sauce
If you’re using spaghetti sauce, evenly spread it on the bottom of your greased baking dish. This adds an additional layer of flavor that complements the creamy alfredo sauce.
5. Stuff the Shells
Spoon the previously prepared mixture generously into each of the cooked jumbo pasta shells. Make sure they’re amply filled to ensure a rich taste in every bite.
6. Bake the Dish
Arrange the stuffed shells in the prepared baking dish in a single layer. Cover the dish with foil to prevent the top from burning and bake for 35 minutes or until the dish is heated through and bubbly.
Servings & Preparation Time
This recipe yields about 21 stuffed shells, suitable for serving approximately 6-7 people. Preparation time is around 20 minutes, and cooking time is 35 minutes, totaling approximately 55 minutes from start to finish.
Tips for Storage & Reheating
- Storage: Allow the dish to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or in the oven. If using the oven, cover the shells with foil and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until thoroughly heated.
Conclusion
The Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Shells recipe is not only a testament to the classic charm of comfort food but also a perfect example of how simple ingredients can be turned into an extraordinary meal. Whether looking for a new weeknight dinner idea or a comforting dish to share, this recipe is sure to satisfy your cravings with its creamy texture and hearty flavors.
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Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Shells
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6-7 servings 1x
Description
Welcome to the delightful world of comfort food with our Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Shells recipe. This dish expertly combines the rich flavors of creamy alfredo sauce with the tender textures of shredded chicken and fresh broccoli, all stuffed into perfectly cooked jumbo pasta shells. Ideal for a cozy family dinner or as a luxurious meal to impress guests, this recipe promises both satisfaction and elegance with every bite.
Ingredients
- 1 jar (16 oz) alfredo sauce
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 2 cups cooked broccoli, chopped
- 1 cup shredded cheddar (or mozzarella) cheese
- ¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 21 jumbo pasta shells, cooked
- 1½ – 2 cups spaghetti sauce (optional)
- Salt and Pepper to taste (if needed)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it’s ready for baking the pasta shells.
- Mix the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the alfredo sauce, shredded chicken, chopped broccoli, cheddar cheese, and parmesan. Mix these ingredients thoroughly to create a uniformly creamy filling for the pasta shells.
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. This step helps in preventing the pasta from sticking to the dish during the baking process.
- Add the Spaghetti Sauce: If you’re using spaghetti sauce, evenly spread it on the bottom of your greased baking dish. This adds an additional layer of flavor that complements the creamy alfredo sauce.
- Stuff the Shells: Spoon the previously prepared mixture generously into each of the cooked jumbo pasta shells. Make sure they’re amply filled to ensure a rich taste in every bite.
- Bake the Dish: Arrange the stuffed shells in the prepared baking dish in a single layer. Cover the dish with foil to prevent the top from burning and bake for 35 minutes or until the dish is heated through and bubbly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes