Tired of boring turkey sandwiches? Get ready to elevate your post-holiday meal game with these incredible Leftover Thanksgiving Stuffed Shells that will make your taste buds dance! This ingenious recipe turns your traditional Thanksgiving remnants into a cheesy, flavor-packed dinner that's so delicious, you'll be hoping for extra leftovers. Imagine tender pasta shells stuffed with succulent turkey, creamy cheeses, and a hint of sweet cranberry sauce – it's like Thanksgiving dinner got a gourmet makeover!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 12 jumbo pasta shells
- 2 cups leftover turkey, shredded
- 1 cup cranberry sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the jumbo pasta shells and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically about 8-10 minutes. Drain the shells and set aside to cool slightly.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded leftover turkey, cranberry sauce, ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella cheese, half of the Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Carefully stuff each cooked pasta shell with the turkey and cheese mixture, using a spoon to fill them generously.
- Spread a thin layer of cranberry sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Place the stuffed shells in the baking dish, open side up. Once all shells are arranged, pour any remaining cranberry sauce over the top.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the stuffed shells evenly.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil to prevent the cheese from browning too quickly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Once done, remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
- Enjoy your delicious Leftover Thanksgiving Stuffed Shells!
Tips
- • Make sure to slightly undercook your pasta shells, as they'll continue cooking in the oven • Use a piping bag or zip-lock bag with the corner cut off for easier and neater shell stuffing • If your leftover turkey is dry, mix in a little extra cranberry sauce or gravy to keep it moist • For a crispy top, broil the shells for 2-3 minutes after baking • This recipe is incredibly flexible – feel free to add chopped herbs or swap cheeses based on what you have • Let the shells rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to help them set and make serving easier
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 450kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 110mg
