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    Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells Olive Garden Copycat Recipe

    by Brendan Cunningham 22 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.
    Table of Contents
    • The Best Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells
      • Ingredients
      • How to Make Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells
        • Step 1: Prep Work
        • Step 2: Making The Stuffed Shells
        • Step 3: Baking The Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells
      • Storing and Reheating Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells
      • Wrapping It Up
    • MORE COPYCAT RECIPES

     

    The Best Giant Cheese 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 marianara 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. 

    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! 

    In fact, it's crazy that you can recreate Olive Garden's giant cheese stuffed shells with just a few everyday kitchen staples.

    Anyway, everything 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.

    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

    Alright, so this recipe has a few layers, but each one is super straightforward.

    It also doesn't involve too much multitasking, so you won't get overwhelmed.

    Oh, and if you have a cooking partner, this stuffed shells recipe will be even easier to make.

    Now, grab the ingredients, and let's get cooking!

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

    Step 1: Prep Work

    First things first, preheat the oven to 350ºF (180°C). 

    Now cook the shells according to the package instructions.

    Once the oven is heated, add the breadcrumbs and butter to an oven-safe bowl. Then bake for about 15 minutes - or until the breadcrumbs brown and set aside for later.

    Now, while that's baking, you can make the alfredo sauce. To do that, add the heavy cream, butter, and parmesan cheese to a small pot and cook over medium heat until bubbly. Then, give it a stir and set aside for later.

    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.

    Step 2: Making The Stuffed Shells

    Now it's time to make the cheesy mixture that will fill the shells. But before we do that, spread the marinara sauce on a baking tray or in a baking dish.

    Then, in a bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, Italian cheese blend, & egg and mix until it's well blended. 

    Then, carefully stuff the cooked giant shells with the ricotta mixture. Transfer each shell to the prepared baking dish - or tray - and top with the alfredo sauce.

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

    Step 3: Baking The Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells

    Once all the shells are stuffed, in the tray, and topped with sauce, bake them for about 15 minutes at 350°F (180°C).

    Then, take them out of the oven, and sprinkle all of the toasted breadcrumbs on top. 

    Finally, serve these Olive Garden giant cheese stuffed shells and 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.

    Storing and Reheating Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells

    So, this cheese stuffed shells recipe will make 4 servings. But don't worry if you can't finish all of them, because the shells store super well. 

    To store, let everything cool, and then transfer to an airtight container. The stuffed shells will last in the fridge for about 3-5 days. 

    By the way, the best way to reheat these giant cheese stuffed shells is to put them in an oven-safe dish and cover them with aluminum foil. Then, bake at 375°F (190°C) for around 10 minutes, or until warm throughout.

    And if you want to keep them for longer, you can freeze the stuffed shells as well.

    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.

    Wrapping It Up

    Well, that's how to make Olive Garden giant cheese stuffed shells. 

    There's nothing better than making this recipe in the comfort of your own home. This dish is so full of cheesy goodness with staple pasta elements that just make it to die for.

    I'm pretty confident that the entire family will like this recipe even better than the one from the restaurant!

    I hope so, atleast.

    Anyway, If you give these giant cheese stuffed shells a try, let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment below.

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

    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 a try next:

    • Olive Garden Chicken Carbonara
    • Olive Garden Grilled Chicken Margherita
    • Ruth Chris Lobster Mac & Cheese
    • Ruth Chris Stuffed Chicken Breast
    • Applebee's Bourbon Street Chicken & Shrimp

    And for even more delicious recipes check out our YouTube Channel.

    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 22 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

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    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

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