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    Home » Recipes » Main Courses

    Copycat Olive Garden Stuffed Shells

    Published: Mar 27, 2022 · Modified: Sep 1, 2024 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    These copycat Olive Garden stuffed shells are just as good or better than the original. They're full of everything we love about Olive Garden giant stuffed shells, and they're easier to make than you think!

    Copycat Olive Garden Stuffed Shells on a plate.

    I almost always order the stuffed shells when we go to Olive Garden. I've tried their other dishes, and they're good. But nothing is as good as those shells! That's why I decided to make my very own to have whenever I want.

    Copycat Olive Garden Giant Stuffed Shells

    This was inspired by my other Olive Garden copycat recipe on this site. It worked so well, I knew I had to try making the shells. It pairs well with this amazing air fryer garlic bread recipe.

    Ingredients

    The ingredients for this recipe are so incredibly simple. You'll find them all easily at your local grocery store.

    • Jumbo shells
    • Ricotta cheese
    • Shredded mozzarella chees - divided
    • Grated parmesan cheese - divided
    • Garlic powder - divided
    • Spaghetti sauce
    • Butter - divided
    • Italian bread crumbs
    • Heavy whipping cream

    See the recipe card at the end of the post for quantities.

    Instructions

    This recipe is so rich and delicious, but it's not nearly as involved as it appears. The steps are very simple.

    Step 1: Prep

    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray an 8x8 baking dish with nonstick spray. Add 1 cup of spaghetti sauce to the bottom of the dish and set it aside.

    Step 2: Cook the Noodles

    Prepare the shells according to the package directions. Set them aside to cool.

    Step 3: Combine Cheeses

    Combine the ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses in a large bowl along with garlic powder and garlic salt.

    Step 4: Stuff and Bake the Shells

    Stuff the cooled shells with the cheese mixture and place them in the baking dish. Then, cover the dish with foil and bake for 32 minutes.

    Step 5: Make the Alfredo Sauce

    Melt butter over medium heat in a large skillet. Then, slowly add heavy whipping cream while stirring continuously. Add garlic powder and garlic salt and stir again. Finally, add mozzarella cheese and grated parmesan cheese and stir until smooth. Then, remove the sauce from the heat.

    Step 6: Layer the Final Ingredients

    When the shells are finished, drizzle the alfredo sauce over them followed by the remaining spaghetti sauce. Combine the bread crumbs with melted butter and sprinkle them on top of the sauce-covered shells.

    Step 7: Broil

    Broil uncovered for 2 to 3 minutes or until the top is browned to your liking.

    Hint: Drizzle the sauces rather than trying to spread them. This prevents you from ending up with a messy top.

    Closeup shot of forkful of Olive Garden giant stuffed shells

    Substitutions

    Don't have the correct ingredients on hand or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change this copycat Olive Garden giant stuffed shells recipe.

    • Your Favorite Spaghetti Sauce - Use your favorite brand of sauce for this recipe.
    • Make Your Own Italian Bread Crumbs - If you don't have Italian bread crumbs, just add Italian seasoning to plain bread crumbs.
    • Half and Half - While it won't be as rich, you can use half and half in place of cream for this recipe if you don't have any on hand.

    Variations

    Want to personalize this copycat Olive Garden stuffed shells recipe? Here are some of my tried and true tips for changing up this recipe.

    • Spicy - Add red pepper flakes to the sauce for a slight kick of heat.
    • Homemade Sauce - If you're feeling industrious, try making your own spaghetti sauce.

    If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy this fried spaghetti.

    Storage

    You can store these in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for 3 to 5 days.

    What To Serve With Stuffed Shells

    The question always remains when trying to build a mouth watering meal like this and that would be "what do I serve with it?" Ken and I put our heads together and compiled this most amazing list for you to elevate your stuffed shells to next level goodness. Check it out and let us know which is your favorite!

    Tips

    I have a few tips here that will help you make the best possible version of this recipe. They're all simple, but they can make a big difference.

    • Only cook your pasta to al dente. Any softer, and it will fall apart while cooking.
    • Be sure you put enough sauce in the bottom of the dish so the shells don't stick.
    • When adding the alfredo sauce and final layer of spaghetti sauce, drizzle them rather than trying to spread them to avoid a big mess.
    • Be gentle when filling the shells so you don't break them.
    Closeup shot of copycat Olive Garden stuffed shells on plate

    More Pasta Recipes

    Do you like (feature of the recipe such as apples? Here some recipes you may also like to try

    • Meat Lovers Pizza Pasta Casserole
    • Cheesy Spaghetti Pie
    • Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta

    FAQ

    Do you have questions about these copycat Olive Garden stuffed shells? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about copycat Olive Garden giant stuffed shells.

    Why did my shells get mushy?

    You probably overcooked them. They're baked after being boiled, so if you boil them too long, they'll get squishy while baking.

    How do I keep the top of my shell topping from looking so messy?

    It's best to drizzle your alfredo and spaghetti sauce layers. If you try to spread them, you'll simply end up mixing them together.

    Why do my shells keep ripping when I try to fill them?

    It takes a light touch to fill the noodles. Fill up a spoon with the cheese mixture and gently pull the shells open, being careful not to rip them. Go slow.

    How long are stuffed shells good?

    They'll keep for between 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator.

    How do I reheat stuffed shells?

    Cover the dish with foil and bake it at 375 degrees for about 45 minutes.

    Copycat Olive Garden Stuffed Shells

    Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.

    Copycat Olive Garden Stuffed Shells on a plate.

    Copycat Olive Garden Stuffed Shells

    Karin and Ken
    This copycat Olive Garden stuffed shells recipe has everything we love about Olive Garden giant stuffed shells. In fact, it might be better!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 25 minutes mins
    Total Time 40 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 5
    Calories 609 kcal

    Equipment

    • 8 x 8 or 9 x 9 inch cake pan

    Ingredients
      

    • 15 jumbo shells
    • 15 oz ricotta cheese
    • 1 ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese divided
    • 1 ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese divided
    • 2 teaspoon garlic powder divided
    • 1 teaspoon garlic salt divided
    • 1 ½ cup spaghetti sauce your favorite variety!
    • ½ cup butter divided
    • ¼ cup Italian style breadcrumbs
    • ⅔ cup heavy whipping cream
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • Get out and measure your ingredients.
      All the ingredients needed to make Copy Cat Olive Garden Stuffed Shells.
    • Preheat oven to 350ºF.
    • Prepare an 8x8-inch baking dish by spraying it with nonstick cooking spray. Next, spread 1 cup of spaghetti sauce in the bottom Set aside.
      8 by 8 inch baking dish sprayed with non stick cooking spray. Spaghetti sauce added to the dish.
    • Prepare shells by cooking them according to the package directions. Set aside once drained and allow to cool.
    • In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 1 cup grated parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon garlic salt.
      Ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan cheese added to a large mixing bowl with garlic powder and garlic salt.
    • Stuff cooled shells with cheese mixture.
      Jumbo shells stuffed with cheese mixture.
    • Place them in the prepared baking dish.
      Uncooked stuffed shells placed in the baking dish on top of the spaghetti sauce.
    • Cover baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 32 minutes.

    Prepare Alfredo Sauce

    • Place 7 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until butter is melted.
    • Slowly pour in ⅔ cup heavy whipping cream, stirring continuously.
      Heavy whipping cream added to a saucepan with melted butter.
    • Add 1 teaspoon garlic powder and ½ teaspoon garlic salt. Stir again.
    • Add ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese and ½ cup grated parmesan Stir until smooth.
      Mozzarella and parmesan cheese added to the pot.
    • Remove from heat.
    • In a small bowl, melt 1 tablespoon butter and stir in breadcrumbs.
      Bread crumbs and butter mixed together in a small bowl.
    • When shells are cooked, remove from oven.
      Cooked stuffed shells in a baking dish.
    • Drizzle Alfredo sauce over top of shells.
      Alfredo sauce added to the top of the shells in the baking dish.
    • Spoon remaining ½ cup spaghetti sauce over top also.
      Spaghetti sauce poured over alfredo sauce.
    • Sprinkle breadcrumbs over top.
      breadcrumbs sprinkled over the spaghetti sauce.
    • Broil uncovered for 2-3 minutes or until top begins to brown.
      Prepared Copy Cat Olive Garden Stuffed Shells in a baking dish.
    • Serve.
      Scoop of Copy Cat Olive Garden Stuffed Shells on a large metal spoon.
    • Enjoy!
      Closeup photo of a fork digging into a plate of Copy Cat Olive Garden Stuffed Shells.
    • Every bite!
      Forkful of Copy Cat Olive Garden Stuffed Shells held above a plate of Copy Cat Olive Garden Stuffed Shells.

    Notes

    Wondering what to serve with stuffed shells? Well look no further...we have the list for you! Soon you'll be making wonderful tasting meals and showing your friends and family that you're the chef of their dreams!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 609kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 32gFat: 40gSaturated Fat: 24gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 135mgSodium: 1657mgPotassium: 519mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1689IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 676mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword Olive Garden Stuffed Shells, Stuffed Shells
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life, Ken.

    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

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