Go Back Email Link
–+ 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 1 vote
Print Pin
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.
    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.
    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.
    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.
    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.
    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.
    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.
    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