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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

Lola Jay
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
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Prep Time 1 minute
Cook Time 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 628 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

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

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 Facts
15-Minute Cheesy Shells
Serving Size
 
1.5 cups
Amount per Serving
Calories
628
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
23
g
35
%
Saturated Fat
 
14
g
88
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
6
g
Cholesterol
 
67
mg
22
%
Sodium
 
23
mg
1
%
Potassium
 
325
mg
9
%
Carbohydrates
 
88
g
29
%
Fiber
 
4
g
17
%
Sugar
 
5
g
6
%
Protein
 
17
g
34
%
Vitamin A
 
876
IU
18
%
Vitamin C
 
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
70
mg
7
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.

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