Go Back

Creamy Cajun Chicken Stuffed Shells

A delicious mixture of seasoned chicken, creamy cheeses, and vibrant vegetables stuffed into jumbo pasta shells, topped with a rich Cajun sauce.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Cajun
Keyword: Cajun Chicken, comfort food, Creamy Cajun Chicken Stuffed Shells, Pasta, Stuffed Shells
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 450kcal

Ingredients

Pasta and Filling

  • 12-15 shells Jumbo pasta shells (340-425g)
  • 3 cups Cooked chicken, shredded (approx. 450g)
  • 2 tablespoons Olive oil (30ml)
  • 1 medium Onion, chopped
  • 1 medium Red bell pepper, chopped
  • 4 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (15g)
  • 1 teaspoon Paprika (5g)
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Black pepper
  • 1 cup Ricotta cheese (240g)
  • 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded (100g) + extra for topping
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated (50g)

Sauce

  • 3 tablespoons Butter (42g)
  • 3 tablespoons Flour (25g)
  • 1 cup Milk (240ml)
  • 1 cup Heavy cream (240ml)
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder (5g)

Instructions

Boil Pasta

  • Cook the jumbo pasta shells in a large pot of salted water according to package directions. Once cooked, drain and set aside.

Sauté Vegetables

  • In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and red bell pepper, cooking until they are soft and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Mix Chicken and Spices

  • In a bowl, combine the shredded chicken with the sautéed vegetables. Add Cajun seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir until everything is well mixed and heated through. Let it cool slightly.

Combine with Cheese

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken-vegetable mixture with ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Mix until everything is creamy and combined.

Prepare the Sauce

  • In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour for about one minute to form a roux. Gradually add milk and heavy cream while continuously whisking to avoid lumps. Season with Cajun spices, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Let it simmer until the sauce thickens.

Assemble the Dish

  • In a baking dish, spread half of the creamy sauce. Stuff each shell with the chicken-cheese mixture and place them in the dish. Pour the remaining sauce over the stuffed shells and sprinkle extra mozzarella cheese on top.

Bake

  • Cover the dish with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbly.

Serve

  • Allow the dish to cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for an extra pop of color!

Notes

Feel free to add in your favorite veggies like spinach or mushrooms to the stuffing mixture for extra flavor and nutrition. Can prepare in advance and store in the fridge or freezer. Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to your taste.