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olive garden stuffed shells

Olive Garden Stuffed Shells Recipe

This easy copycat Olive Garden Stuffed Shells recipe is family friendly, easy to prep with some store-bought shortcuts, and great for making a double batch for leftovers!
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Course: Main Dishes
Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 602kcal
Author: Jennifer Stewart

Ingredients

  • 20 jumbo pasta shells
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 cup store-bought Alfredo sauce
  • 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
  • Olive oil for drizzling
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Stuffed Shells Filling

  • 2 cups ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 egg lightly beaten
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F.
  • Grease a 9X13 baking dish and set aside.
  • Cook pasta shells in boiling salted water for 2-3 minutes less than the minimum time listed on the package, about 9-10 minutes.
  • They should remain very firm as they will continue cooking in the oven. Rinse with cool water.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, beaten egg, chopped parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
  • Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
  • Stuff each cooked pasta shell with a generous amount of the cheese mixture and place them in the prepared baking dish.
  • Pour the marinara sauce evenly over the stuffed shells.
  • Pour the store-bought Alfredo sauce evenly over the stuffed shells.
  • In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with a drizzle of olive oil until evenly coated. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture on top of the sauces.
  • Drizzle olive oil over the top of the stuffed shells.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
  • Garnish with fresh basil leaves, if desired, before serving.

Notes

  • Don't overcook the pasta. The shells will cook in the oven some more.
  • Make extra pasta shells. I have a tendency to tear mine with stuffing them so like to make some extra ones just in case.
  • Feel free to use jarred sauces. This is supposed to be easy so feel free to make the necessary shortcuts!
  • Substitute gluten free pasta shells and bread crumbs if needed.
  • ​Substitute other Italian cheeses if you prefer.
  • Don't have ricotta? Try a large curd cottage cheese. 
  • No breadcrumbcs? Use panko breadcrumbs, crushed crackers, or homemade breadcrumbs.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 602kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 125mg | Sodium: 1441mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g