Pumpkin Alfredo Stuffed Shells (Printable Version)

Tender shells filled with creamy pumpkin-ricotta, baked in luscious Alfredo sauce for a cozy autumn meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 20 jumbo pasta shells

→ Filling

02 - 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
03 - 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
04 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
05 - 1 large egg
06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
09 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage or 1 tablespoon dried sage

→ Alfredo Sauce

10 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
11 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
12 - 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
13 - 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
14 - 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
15 - salt, to taste

→ Topping

16 - 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
17 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Boil jumbo pasta shells in generously salted water following package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set shells aside to cool slightly.
03 - In a medium mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, canned pumpkin puree, grated Parmesan, large egg, ground nutmeg, salt, black pepper, and chopped sage. Mix until homogenous and creamy.
04 - Melt unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant. Add heavy cream; bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 3–4 minutes. Stir in grated Parmesan, ground white pepper, and salt. Cook, stirring, until cheese has melted and sauce is smooth. Remove from heat.
05 - Spread 1/2 cup of Alfredo sauce evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
06 - Fill each cooked pasta shell with approximately 2 tablespoons of the pumpkin-ricotta mixture. Arrange shells in a single layer in the baking dish.
07 - Pour remaining Alfredo sauce evenly over the filled shells. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.
08 - Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the top is golden brown.
09 - Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired, and serve immediately.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Uses familiar pantry staples and a can of pumpkin
  • Ready in a little over an hour from start to finish
  • No complicated equipment required just basic kitchen tools
  • Crowd pleasing for vegetarians and meat eaters alike
  • Freezes beautifully for make ahead dinners
02 -
  • High in protein from the ricotta and Parmesan
  • Pumpkin brings vitamins A and C plus a little natural sweetness
  • Kid friendly and great as a main for gatherings
03 -
  • Use a piping bag or a zip top bag with the corner snipped off to stuff shells quickly and neatly
  • Do not overcook the pasta at the start slightly firm shells are less likely to tear
  • Taste your Alfredo sauce before assembling and adjust salt as needed you want lots of flavor in every layer

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