Creamy Cheesy Ground Chicken Stuffed Shells
Ingredients:
For the Shells:
• 20 jumbo pasta shells
• Olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2–3 cloves garlic, finely chopped or minced
• 1 lb (450 g) ground chicken
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Meat seasoning
• Smoked paprika
For the Filling:
• 1 cup (250 g) blended cottage cheese or ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup (50 g) grated mozzarella
• 1/2 cup (50 g) grated parmesan
• Cooked ground chicken mixture (from above)
For the Sauce:
• 2 tbsp (30 g) butter
• 2 tbsp (16 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) milk
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream
• 1/2 cup (50 g) shredded mozzarella
• 1/4 cup (25 g) grated parmesan
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
Topping:
• Shredded mozzarella
• Garlic chili oil
• Green onion, chopped
Instructions:
1. Heat olive oil in a skillet. Sauté the onion until soft, then add garlic.
2. Add ground chicken and break it apart. Season with salt, black pepper, meat seasoning, and smoked paprika. Cook until fully cooked and lightly golden. Let cool.
3. Boil jumbo pasta shells according to package instructions. Drain and let cool slightly.
Note: I give the pasta a quick rinse under cold water after draining—just enough to stop the cooking, prevent sticking, and make it easier to handle when filling the shells.
4. In a bowl, mix blended cottage cheese (or ricotta), mozzarella, parmesan, and the cooked chicken mixture.
5. In a saucepan, melt butter and stir in flour. Gradually whisk in milk and cream. Cook over medium heat until slightly thickened.
6. Stir in mozzarella and parmesan. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer until creamy.
7. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread some sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.
8. Fill each shell with the chicken mixture and arrange in the dish. Pour the remaining sauce over the shells and top with mozzarella.
9. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 10 minutes, or until bubbly and golden on top.
10. Garnish with garlic chili oil and chopped green onion if desired. Serve warm.
Enjoy!
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