Our Breaded Stuffed Shells offer a fun twist on the traditional stuffed pasta you're used to. The combination of creamy cheese filling and crispy breadcrumb coating makes this dish memorable and fun. If you're craving something different for dinner or need a crowd-pleasing appetizer, these stuffed shells fit the bill.

Breaded Stuffed Shells

If you like mozzarella sticks you have just found your brand new favorite. Our Breaded Stuffed Shells have a unique texture and flavor profile but it is definitely a play on its mozzarella stick counterpart. This dish is perfect for those who love the comfort of stuffed pasta but crave a bit of crunch. The blend of cheeses – cottage, Parmesan, and mozzarella – offers nice flavors and creaminess, while garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning give each bite classic Italian flavors.

The breading and flash-frying process is a little work, but it is worth the effort! I can't wait to try these in the air fryer, too! Grab a helper or two and set up an assembly line and you'll have all of your shells breaded and fried in no time.

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Why You'll Love This Recipe

Crispy and Creamy Texture: The breadcrumb coating provides a delightful crunch that is perfect with the cheesey filling.
Versatile Serving Options: Serve as an appetizer with marinara sauce or as a main dish alongside your favorite sides or a batch of our Smoked Italian Meatballs!
Customizable: Experiment with different cheese combinations or add more herbs for a personalized touch.
Simple Preparation: Despite its impressive appearance, this dish is straightforward and fun to make.
Crowd-Pleaser: Sure to be a hit at gatherings, pleasing both kids and adults alike.

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Recipe Shopping List

Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here's the list of items you'll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Extra Large Pasta Shells – The base of the dish, big enough to stuff generously.
Cottage Cheese – Creamy and mild, gives the filling body and moisture.
Shredded Parmesan Cheese – Salty, nutty, and helps bind the filling.
Mozzarella Cheese – Melts beautifully for that gooey interior.
Garlic Powder – Adds depth and savory flavor to the cheese mix.
Onion Powder – Balances the garlic and boosts overall flavor.
Salt – Brings out the natural flavor in the filling.
Italian Seasoning – A mix of herbs that gives a familiar, comforting flavor.
Chopped Italian Parsley – Adds freshness and color to the filling.
Large Eggs – Used to create the egg wash that helps the breading stick.
Milk – Thins the egg wash for better coverage.
Italian Bread Crumbs – Seasoned and perfect for a crispy shell coating.
Oil (For Frying) – Neutral oil like canola or vegetable, heated to 325°F.
Marinara Sauce – For dipping, use homemade or your favorite jarred brand.

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How To Make This Recipe

This is just the overview so you can see what you're actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you'll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.

Boil The Shells – Bring salted water to a boil and cook shells according to the package. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
Make The Filling – Mix cottage cheese, Parmesan, mozzarella, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, Italian seasoning, and parsley in a bowl.
Stuff The Shells – Carefully fill each pasta shell with a spoonful of cheese mixture.
Bread The Shells – Dip each filled shell in egg wash (egg + milk), then roll in bread crumbs until fully coated.
Fry Until Golden – Heat oil in a pot to 325°F. Fry 5–6 shells at a time for about 3 minutes, until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and serve hot with marinara.

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Recipe FAQ

Can I bake these instead of frying?

Absolutely! For a lighter version, bake the breaded shells until golden brown. You can use the air fryer too, if you have one!

What other sauces can I serve with this dish?

Alfredo or pesto sauces also pair beautifully with these stuffed shells.

Can this recipe be made in advance?

This dish is best served right after cooking, but if you happen to have extras you can reheat them in the air fryer or oven and maintain that crisp texture.

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Serve This With

A light garden salad with Greek dressing
Grilled vegetables like broccolini or zucchini
Garlic bread for an extra indulgent meal

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Yield: 6 servings

Breaded Stuffed Shells

These cheesy, delicious shells are breaded and flash-fried for a crunchy breading! Perfect for dipping as an appetizer or making it into a meal and serving with meatballs.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

1 pound extra large pasta shells
2 cups cottage cheese
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon chopped Italian parsley
2 cups Italian bread crumbs
3 cups oil
1 cup marinara

Instructions

In a large stock pot, bring 2 quarts of salted water to a boil.
Add in your noodles and use the recommended cooking time on the package.
Drain the water and set the cooked shells aside.
Put all the cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, Italian seasoning, and parsley into a bowl and mix thoroughly.
Fill each pasta shell with the cheese mix.
Mix the eggs and milk in a small bowl.
Pour the bread crumbs into a separate bowl.
Dip each filled shell into the egg wash, remove and roll in the bread crumbs.
Be sure to get an even coat of bread crumbs on each shell.
Add oil to a medium-sized pot and heat on your stovetop to 325°F.
Add 5-6 shells into the oil and cook for approximately 3 minutes. Repeat until all of the stuffed shells are cooked.
Remove from the oil and place on a napkin to drain.
Serve with marinara sauce for dipping.

Breaded Stuffed Shells