Crab and Shrimp Stuffed Shells

I wanted to make a creamy Alfredo sauce for some seafood stiffed shells for Emily. I used this recipe.

Ingredients: 

Alfredo Sauce:

• 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
• 1 pint whipping cream or half and half
• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (I used used Romano)
      
  

Stuffed Shells:

• 8 ounces lump crabmeat, roughly chopped (pre-cooked)
• 16 ounces shrimp, roughly chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice from ½ lemon (I used a whole lime)
• 12 ounces cream cheese, cut into cubes
• 1/2 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning (or 1 teaspoon dried)
• optional - 1 teaspoons red pepper flakes (I did not use)
• 7 to 8 ounces jumbo shells (I used about 25 shells)
• 6 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)
    
  

Instructions:

1. In a heavy saucepan, add butter, cream, and cream cheese. Cook over medium heat and whisk until melted.
2. Add the minced garlic, garlic powder, spices, and pepper. Continue to whisk until smooth. Add the grated cheese
3. Bring to a simmer and continue to cook for about 3-5 minutes or until it starts to thicken. Remove from heat.
4. Cook jumbo shells un al dente, about 9 minutes. 
5. Drain, and cool on a plate while you make up the filling.
6. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
7. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp and minced garlic, cook until shrimp is pink and garlic is fragrant, about 2 minutes.
8. Add the lemon juice and crab, stir, then add the cream cheese cubes and stir until completely melted, about 3-4 minutes. 
9. Stir in the Old Bay seasoning and parsley, the red pepper flakes if using, and a pinch each ground pepper. 
10. Remove from heat.
11. Place about 2/3 of the sauce on the bottom of a 9x13-inch casserole dish. 
12. Using a small spoon, stuff the shells with the seafood mixture until full but not overstuffed.
    (If you temporarily place the stuffed shells on a plate, you can portion out the filling as needed.)
    
13. Arrange shells in the casserole dish, nestling into the sauce. Dollop remaining sauce over the shells.
14. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the shells, then place in the oven and bake until cheese is melted, 20-25 minutes.
15. Broil for am minute or two to get some added color if desired.
    
    
    

 

Carole's Notes:

 We liked this! Doug thought the seafood mix would be good on top of pasta.
This is very rich - I make try the seafood mix with a cup of milk over pasta next time.

The Alfredo sauce recipe is lightly adapted from https://therecipecritic.com/the-best-homemade-alfredo-sauce-ever/ and the stuffed shells are adapted from https://www.tastingtable.com/1389242/creamy-seafood-stuffed-shells-recipe/