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Tuna Stuffed Shells are delicious jumbo pasta shells stuffed with tuna, ricotta, parmesan and mozzarella and smothered in a creamy garlic sauce.

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Tuna Stuffed Shells are a tasty pasta recipe using canned tuna.

These cheesy tuna pasta shells are sure to be a hit with the whole family.

This stuffed pasta shell recipe takes about forty-five minutes from start to finish and serves up to six people.

Printable Recipe Card with a Full List of Ingredients and Instructions is Located at the Bottom of the Post.

Be sure to read through the entire post so that you don’t miss out on any important tips and tricks!

To make these tuna stuffed pasta shells, I started by cooking some jumbo pasta shells until al dente.

I drained the cooked shells and tossed them with olive oil to prevent them from sticking together.

I set the pasta shells aside to cool.

I added some drained flaked tuna to a mixing bowl.

I added some ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, chopped parsley and chopped red onion to the bowl.

I mixed all of the ingredients together well.

I scooped the tuna mixture into the pasta shells.

I placed the stuffed shells into a baking dish.

I dropped some butter into a saucepan over medium heat.

Once the butter was melted I added some minced garlic to the pan.

Stir and sauté the garlic for one minute.

I added some flour to the pan.

I stirred the flour and melted butter together to form a roux.

 

I gradually whisked in some heavy cream until the sauce thickened.

I seasoned the sauce with garlic powder, salt and pepper.

I poured the sauce evenly over the stuffed pasta shells in the baking dish.

I sprinkled some shredded mozzarella on top.

I covered the dish with aluminum foil.

I placed the dish in the oven and baked the stuffed shells for about twenty-five minutes.

Then I removed the foil from the dish.

I sprinkled some fresh chopped parsley on top.

Then the creamy tuna stuffed pasta shells were ready to serve.

This creamy garlic tuna pasta is packed with flavour.

Smother in a velvety cream sauce, each bite is a harmonious balance of textures and tastes.

The tender pasta shell provides the ideal vessel for the rich and indulgent tuna and cheese filling, creating a dish that’s both comforting and sophisticated.

Creamy stuffed pasta shells with tuna are perfect for a simple weeknight dinner or even a special occasion.

If you are looking for a hearty tuna pasta recipe, then you need to try these Tuna Stuffed Shells!

More Stuffed Shell Pasta Recipes You’ll Love…

 

PRINTABLE VERSION OF THE RECIPE CAN BE FOUND AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE

Ingredients You’ll Need to make these Tuna Stuffed Shells:

• 20-24 jumbo pasta shells
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 (5-ounce) cans of tuna in water, drained and flaked
• ½ cup ricotta cheese
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• ¼ cup finely chopped fresh parsley
• ¼ cup finely chopped red onion

Sauce

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• ½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded for topping
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

How to Make Tuna Stuffed Shells:

1. Boil a large pot of salted water. Cook the pasta shells until al dente (don’t overcook). Drain and toss with olive oil to prevent them from sticking while cooling, then set aside.
2. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
3. In a medium bowl, add the flaked tuna, ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, mozzarella, chopped parsley, and chopped red onion. Mix well.
4. Stuff each cooked pasta shell with the tuna mixture until each shell is full. Arrange in a medium baking dish.
5. In a saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add 2 cloves of minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
6. Stir in 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour to create a roux.
7. Gradually whisk in the heavy cream until the sauce thickens (about 2-3 minutes).
8. Season the sauce with garlic powder, salt and black pepper to taste. The sauce should be thick and creamy, but still be able to pour. Add milk to thin if it becomes too thick.
9. Evenly drizzle the creamy sauce over top of the stuffed shells. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
10. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
11. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Carefully remove the foil.
12. Garnish the dish with fresh parsley if desired.
13. Serve and enjoy!

FAQS:

How should I store the leftovers?

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. 

What can I use instead of heavy cream?

If you prefer a lighter option, you can substitute half-and-half or whole milk for heavy cream. Keep in mind that the sauce may be slightly thinner, so adjust the amount accordingly.

Can I use different pasta shapes?

While the recipe calls for jumbo pasta shells, you can use other large pasta shapes like manicotti or even lasagna sheets, which you can cut into smaller pieces. 

What side dishes go well with creamy tuna stuffed pasta shells?

This dish pairs nicely with a simple green salad, garlic bread, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

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