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–+ servings
Creamy pasta shells garnished with herbs in a white bowl, perfect for Italian cuisine lovers and comfort food enthusiasts.

15-Minute Cheesy Shells

If you're looking for a cozy, satisfying dish that's quick to whip up, these 15-minute cheesy shells are the perfect choice. This creamy pasta dish combines tender shells with a velvety, cheesy sauce, making it the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights. With simple ingredients and minimal prep, it's a one-pan recipe the whole family will love!
5 from 2 votes
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: shells
Prep Time: 1 minute
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 628kcal
Author: Lola Jay

Ingredients

  • 16 oz medium shells
  • 4 cups chicken bone broth high-protein preferred
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoon butter
  • 3 small garlic cloves or 2 medium crushed
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1.5 cups freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
US Customary - Metric

Instructions 

Sauté the Garlic

  • In a large skillet or saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
    2 tablespoon butter
    Butter melting in a black frying pan on a wooden countertop, preparing for cooking.
  • Add the crushed garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
    3 small garlic cloves or 2 medium
    Melting butter and garlic paste sizzling in a black frying pan on a wooden kitchen table.

Add Broth and Lemon Juice

  • Pour in the chicken bone broth and the juice of 1 lemon.
    4 cups chicken bone broth, Juice of 1 lemon
    Woman pouring chicken broth into a pan in kitchen, preparing a recipe with fresh ingredients.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low.
    Wooden spoon stirring bubbling bone broth in a pot on a wooden board. Cooking preparation in progress.

Cook the Shells

  • Add the medium shells to the boiling broth.
    16 oz medium shells
    Woman cooking pasta in a kitchen, pouring from a box into a steaming pot on a stove.
  • Stir occasionally and let the pasta cook until 70% of the liquid has evaporated.
    Cooking shell pasta in a pot with a wooden spoon stirring for a delicious meal preparation.

Add Heavy Cream

  • Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream.
    1 cup heavy cream
    Pouring heavy cream into a pot of cooked shell pasta on a wooden countertop.
  • Cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
    Cooking shell pasta in a pot with heavy cream, stirred with a wooden spoon on a wooden countertop.

Melt the Cheese

  • Turn the heat to low and gradually stir in the Parmigiano Reggiano, ensuring it melts evenly into the sauce.
    1.5 cups freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano
    Cooking pasta shells with grated cheese being stirred in a pan with a wooden spoon.
  • Add a black pepper to taste and an extra tablespoon of butter for added richness.
    ½ teaspoon black pepper
    Close-up of pasta shells with black pepper seasoning in a pan.

Serve

  • Toss the pasta to coat it completely in the creamy sauce.
    Creamy shell pasta being stirred with a spoon, showcasing delicious cheesy sauce. Perfect comfort food dish.
  • Serve hot and garnish with extra grated cheese if desired.
    Creamy shell pasta topped with grated cheese in a white bowl on a wooden table.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cups | Calories: 628kcal | Carbohydrates: 88g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 23mg | Potassium: 325mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 876IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 2mg