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    Olive Garden Stuffed Shells

    by Brendan Cunningham 28 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    These giant cheese stuffed shells are just like the ones from Olive Garden! The shells are filled with ricotta and Italian cheese and sit on top of marinara. Then these giant cheese stuffed shells are topped with crunchy breadcrumbs and smothered in a creamy Alfredo sauce. 

    Part of a white casserole dish that is filled with Jay and cheese stuffed shells that has toasted bread crumbs and Alfredo sauce on top.

    The Best Olive Garden Stuffed Shells

     

    The Olive Garden giant cheese stuffed shells are one of their most popular dishes. And if you've never ordered it before, you're in for one of the most delicious pasta recipes you'll ever have.

    Now, what I think makes them so delicious is they're baked in two different sauces that combine to make a dish of pasta deliciousness like no other. The stuffed shells sit on top of a flavorful marinara sauce and then are topped with a rich and creamy Alfredo sauce.

    And if you like the combination of these two pasta sauces - and Olive Garden in general - then you just have to try this lasagna fritta recipe next! Just like these giant cheese stuffed, they taste just like the ones from Olive Garden. 

    Why This Recipe Works

    Easy to make. All you have to do for this recipe is make the homemade alfredo sauce, mix the Italian cheeses, and stuff the shells. It's effortless!

    Simple ingredients. You only need a handful of common ingredients to make this recipe.

    Crowd-pleaser. Everyone who's tried this just raves about it, so you know it'll be a hit whether you make it for a weeknight dinner or if you're hosting.

    The real deal. This recipe is as close to the Olive Garden stuffed shells as you can get.

    Giant cheese stuffed shells in a white casserole dish. In front of it is a bowl of toasted bread crumbs or behind it a bowl of Alfredo sauce..

    Ingredients

    Now, it may seem like this stuffed shells recipe requires many ingredients, but you actually only need a few, and they're all super simple! 

    Here's what you'll need for the stuffed shells:

    • 15 jumbo pasta shells
    • 2 cups full fat ricotta cheese
    • 1 cup Italian blend shredded cheese
    • 1 egg
    • 24 ounces marinara sauce
    Bowl of breadcrumbs, a bowl of ricotta cheese, of all with butter, ball shredded cheese, bowl marinara sauce, and a bowl of giant shells on a white counter.

    For the toasted breadcrumbs to go on top:

    • ¼ cup bread crumbs
    • 2 teaspoons melted butter

    And for the Alfredo Sauce:

    • 4 ounces heavy cream
    • 3 ounces butter
    • 3 ounces shredded parmesan cheese
    • Fresh parsley

    Once it's broken down into parts, you can see how simple this recipe is.

    And if you want to make it even easier, you use a store-bought Alfredo sauce.

    With that said, I think the homemade alfredo sauce in this recipe is worth making, but you can definitely pick some up from the store, and it will cut down on the ingredients and cooking time. 

    By the way, make sure to grab some extra ricotta cheese from the store. You can use it to make this ricotta pie for dessert! Or you can use it to make these stuffed shells with meat for another version.

    A bowl of west egg, bowl of heavy cream, a bowl of ricotta cheese, and a bowl shredded cheese on a white counter.

    How To Make Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells

    1. Prep. Preheat the oven to 350ºF (180°C). Cook the shells according to package instructions.

    2. Toast the breadcrumbs. Combine the breadcrumbs and butter in a bowl, then spread on a baking sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes or until browned.

    A bowl filled with breadcrumbs in a bowl filled with giant shells on a white counter

    3. Make the alfredo sauce. Combine Heavy cream, butter, and parmesan cheese in a small pot and cook at medium heat until bubbly. Mix while cooking. Set aside for later.

    4. Make the cheese filling. Add the ricotta cheese, Italian blend cheese, and egg to a bowl and mix until everything combines.

    Hand holding a giant cheese stuffed shell above a part that is filled with giant shells. Behind that is a white bowl filled with the cheese mixture.

    5. Prepare the shells. Stuff the shells with the cheese mixture. Arrange the stuffed shells on a baking tray or baking dish by layering the marinara sauce, then stuffed shells and Alfredo sauce on top.

    Giant cheese stuffed shells in a white baking dish. Behind it is a cup of Alfredo sauce

    6. Bake and serve. Bake the stuffed shells for about 15 minutes or until they're nice and hot. Sprinkle the toasted breadcrumbs on top and garnish with fresh parsley before serving. Enjoy!

    Giant cheese stuffed shells with Alfredo sauce on them in a white casserole dish. Behind it is a white bowl with Alfredo sauce in it.

    Tips To Make The Best Recipe

    • Use jarred alfredo sauce instead of making it from scratch if you're short on time.
    • Use a meat sauce with ground beef or Italian sausage instead of marinara sauce to make this recipe even heartier.
    • Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top of the shells before baking for extra cheesy stuffed shells.

    Part of a white casserole dish that is filled with giant cheese stuffed shells. The shells of toasted bread crumbs on top along with some Alfredo sauce and they are on marinara sauce.

    How To Store Stuffed Shells

    In the fridge: Let everything cool, then transfer the stuffed shells to an airtight container and store for about 4 days. 

    In the freezer: Put the shells in a freezer-safe container, and you can freeze them for about 3 months.

    Reheating: Arrange stuffed shells in an oven-safe dish and cover them with aluminum foil. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for around 10 minutes or until warm through.

    Breadcrumbs on top of giant cheese stuffed shells that have Alfredo sauce on them in a white casserole dish.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

    Yes! Simply prepare everything up to the point of baking, then cover the baking tray or casserole dish with a lid, and you can refrigerate the shells for up to 2 days. When you're ready to eat them, just pop the unbaked stuffed shells in the oven.

    Does Olive Garden still have the cheese stuffed shells?

    At the moment, Olive Garden has discontinued the cheese stuffed shells. Luckily, you can make them with this recipe instead!

    Why are my stuffed shells watery?

    You probably did not drain the pasta water enough. Next time, give the shells a shake or even pat them dry with paper towels.

    Why are my stuffed shells hard?

    You may not have cooked the shells long enough. You'll need to make sure you cook the pasta until it's al dente. It should be slightly chewy when you bite into it, but not hard or crunchy.

    More Copycat Recipes

    If you liked this Olive Garden copycat recipe, we have some more recreation of recipes from famous restaurants! 

    Give one of these copycat Olive Garden recipes a try next:

    • Olive Garden Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara
    • Olive Garden Chicken Pasta
    • Olive Garden Cheese Ravioli
    • Olive Garden Grilled Chicken Margherita
    • Olive Garden Breadsticks
    • Olive Garden tiramisu
    Print

    Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells

    Breadcrumbs on top of giant cheese stuffed shells that have Alfredo sauce on them in a white casserole dish.
    Print Recipe

    ★★★★★

    5 from 27 reviews

    These giant cheese stuffed shells are just the ones from Olive Garden! The shells are filled with ricotta and Italian cheese and sit on top of marinara. Then the giant cheese stuffed shells are topped with crunchy breadcrumbs and smothered in a creamy Alfredo sauce. 

    • Author: Brendan Cunningham
    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Cook Time: 15 minutes
    • Total Time: 30 minutes
    • Yield: 4 servings 1x
    • Category: Dinner
    • Method: Oven
    • Cuisine: Olive Garden

    Ingredients

    Scale

    15 jumbo pasta shells

    2 cups full fat ricotta cheese

    1 cup Italian blend shredded cheese

    1 egg

    24 ounces marinara sauce

    ¼ cup bread crumbs

    2 teaspoons melted butter

    Alfredo Sauce:

    4 ounces heavy cream

    3 ounces butter

    3 ounces shredded parmesan cheese

    Fresh parsley

    Instructions

    1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF (180°C).
    2. Cook the shells according to package instructions.
    3. Combine breadcrumbs and butter and bake for about 15 minutes, or until browned.
    4. Combine Heavy cream, butter and parmesan cheese in a small pot and cook at medium heat until bubbly. Reserve the Alfredo Sauce.
    5. Combine ricotta cheese, Italian blend cheese, and egg in a bowl and stuff the shells with the mixture.
    6. Arrange a baking tray or dish by layering the marinara sauce, then stuffed shells and Alfredo sauce on top.
    7. Bake for around 15 minutes, or until hot.
    8. Serve with breadcrumbs and fresh parsley.

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 serving
    • Calories: 336
    • Fat: 19
    • Carbohydrates: 21
    • Protein: 20

    Keywords: giant cheese stuffed shells, giant cheese stuffed shells recipe, giant cheese stuffed shells olive garden, olive garden giant cheese stuffed shells, how to make giant cheese stuffed shells, giant cheese stuffed shells olive garden ingredients, best giant cheese stuffed shells recipe, stuffed shells recipe

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag us @ImHungryForThat — we can't wait to see what you've made!

    « Lasagna Fritta (Olive Garden Copycat Recipe)
    Mac and Cheese Without Milk »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Carol

      March 23, 2022 at 2:48 pm

      My-oh-my these shells were delicious.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Meggie

      March 24, 2022 at 11:03 am

      Ugh I love this at Olive Garden and this recipe did not disappoint!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    3. Cynthia

      March 25, 2022 at 10:56 am

      Can’t get enough of these shells.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    4. Dawn

      March 25, 2022 at 11:15 am

      Yum!! I think this is my new favorite pasta dish!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    5. Leah

      March 26, 2022 at 2:45 pm

      Giant cheese stuffed delicious!!!!!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    6. Sarah

      March 26, 2022 at 9:27 pm

      My whole family LOVED this recipe.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    7. Ricky

      March 27, 2022 at 2:10 pm

      Family crushed this recipe - thanks.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    8. SJ

      March 27, 2022 at 8:08 pm

      5/5

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    9. Amari

      March 28, 2022 at 10:26 am

      Never thought stuffed shells could be so good!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    10. Spencer

      March 29, 2022 at 8:27 am

      I love the combination of sauces in this it is just amazing.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    11. Vicky

      March 29, 2022 at 11:20 pm

      These shells are 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    12. Cindy

      March 30, 2022 at 9:52 am

      My family loves pasta recipes and they raved over how good this was!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    13. Anna

      March 31, 2022 at 8:51 am

      The tastes breadcrumbs is an extra step but it is totally worth it! I thought it made the dish.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    14. Ivy

      April 01, 2022 at 1:02 pm

      Fantastic stuffed shells.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    15. Gary

      April 03, 2022 at 3:17 pm

      Better than the restaurant 💯

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    16. Cameron

      April 04, 2022 at 6:56 pm

      My fam love them!!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    17. Jillian

      April 05, 2022 at 1:27 pm

      Oh my yum!!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    18. Victoria

      April 06, 2022 at 3:11 pm

      Super delicious and filling recipe. My family very much enjoyed it.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    19. Donna

      April 07, 2022 at 7:50 am

      Love love love these stuffed shells!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    20. Mandy

      April 07, 2022 at 12:18 pm

      🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    21. Anna

      April 08, 2022 at 8:34 am

      We will totally make these again. Whole family loved the shells!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    22. Kendra

      April 16, 2022 at 3:08 pm

      These shells are 💯💯💯💯💯

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    23. Sean

      July 26, 2022 at 11:42 am

      This was phenomenal!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    24. Kristen

      September 18, 2022 at 8:35 pm

      This was WAY better than the restaurant!! Officially putting this on my list of meals to make regularly, AND when I want to impress guests 🙂

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Brendan Cunningham

        September 19, 2022 at 10:27 am

        We're so happy you liked it!! 🙂

        Reply
    25. Lizzy

      May 24, 2023 at 11:03 pm

      No doubt my favorite pasta recipe I've made at home!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    26. Mandy Flanigan

      May 25, 2023 at 7:40 pm

      Stuffed shells more like stuffed deliciousness!!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    27. Kaitlyn R

      June 05, 2023 at 10:54 pm

      The only stuffed shells I'll make they turn out wonderfully each time.

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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