Italian cuisine may taste delicious, but making it yourself is much harder than it looks! As with any great recipe, the finer details need to be emphasized for best results. If you overlook these, it can lead to disaster for your dish! Stuffed shells are a delicious Italian classic that relies on the small details to work properly. Common issues have popped up time and time again: shells being too watered-down, shells sticking together, and shells not being able to hold the filling. To avoid each of these issues, we’ll give our expert advice on stuffed shell preparation below!
Avoiding The Shells Sticking Together
In order for the stuffed shells to be as tasty as possible, you’ll need to be able to actually separate them! Achieving this is easier said than done, but it can be corrected by solving a common misconception about pasta-making. You should only be cooking the shells to al dente to start! Once your shells have reached this point, drain the hot water from the pot and replace it with cold water. This stops the shells from cooking any further than you want them to and also ensures that they won’t stick together upon serving.
Avoiding Watery Fillings
The biggest causes of the shells being too watery upon serving have nothing to do with the shells themselves but the cheese filling inside! When you’re buying your ricotta, pay careful attention to the added ingredients. The option that you choose should be the one with the most basic ingredients. Avoid anything that mentions gums as an ingredient, as they are the main contributor to your ricotta getting too watery. As the ricotta heats, it releases the excess water – which can lead to a very unsatisfying final product!
Avoid The Shells Not Being Able To Hold Filling
When assembling most basic pasta dishes, the end goal should be to have them with a smooth and soft texture that’s easy to chew. This is the case for many different types of pasta – with the exception of stuffed shells! Stuffed shells need to be harder than other types in order for them to be able to hold the filling. This is why we recommend cooking them to al dente level – because if gives them the hardness they need to store big ricotta fillings! As long as you abide by these three rules, you’ll avoid the worst-case scenario with your stuffed shells.
Stuffed Shells with Bricco Salumeria
Sometimes, a good recipe isn’t worth the hassle of making yourself. If you have guests to entertain and are craving Italian food, Bricco Salumeria has you covered! We specialize in Italian cuisine and catering dishes that help keep even the biggest parties satisfied. Visit us in the North End today to make your next social event a success!
FAQs
Stuffed shells can get watery for a few different reasons. One reason could be that the shells were not cooked long enough and they released water while cooking. Another reason could be that the filling was too wet, which made the shells soggy.
How long to cook pasta shells al dente? ›
For authentic "al dente" pasta, boil uncovered, stirring occasionally for 8 minutes. For more tender pasta, boil an additional 1 minute. Remove from heat. Drain well.
What do you eat with stuffed pasta shells? ›
I often serve these stuffed shells with my Homemade Caesar Salad, but my Arugula Salad, Beet Salad, or Simple Green Salad would also pair well with this recipe. And when it comes to bread, you really can't go wrong! Stick with a crusty loaf, or make rosemary focaccia, garlic knots, or dinner rolls. Enjoy!
What happens if you put too much water in stuffing? ›
The stuffing should be moist but not wet. If there is a puddle of broth at the bottom of the bowl, you've added too much. Add more bread to soak up the excess moisture. If the mix is still dry and crumbly, add more liquid and toss gently until it starts to clump together.
How to fix runny ricotta? ›
There are several ways to thicken ricotta filling. One is to place the filling in a fine strainer over a bowl and allow excess liquid to drain off. Another way is to line the strainer with cheesecloth. Yet another way is to add a thickener such as cornstarch or arrowroot starch.
Can you overcook pasta shells? ›
Pasta shells generally take between 9 and 14 minutes to cook, but overcooked shells will be mushy and limp, so don't guess.
How much salt to add to pasta water? ›
How To Salt Water For Pasta. It is possible to add too much salt to your pasta water, and we generally follow this water salt ratio for pasta: add 1 tablespoon kosher or sea salt to 4 quarts of water for every 1 pound of pasta. When boiling or blanching vegetables (like broccoli), add 1½ teaspoons per quart of water.
What are the large pasta shells called? ›
The pasta called conchiglioni, usually marketed as “jumbo shells” here in the US, are filled with a ricotta cream enriched with mozzarella, napped with a simple marinara sauce and topped with a generous sprinkling of Parmesan before being baked in a hot oven.
Which pasta is known as stuffed pasta? ›
Ravioli. Possibly the most recognisable filled pasta type, ravioli are named after the Italian term 'riavvolgere' meaning “to wrap.” Ravioli have been a staple of Italian cuisine since the 14th century.
How do you drain pasta shells? ›
If that seems like too much work, just go basic. Put the colander in your sink, grab the pot with potholders and dump the contents in the colander, reserving a little pasta water.
While the flavor of ricotta is light, its texture is meant to be thick and creamy. Unfortunately, most grocery stores carry watery ricotta that seems to have lost this desirable quality. Heres a quick tip to restore its consistency, making it perfect to use in any dish, from lasagna to cannoli.
Do stuffed shells go bad? ›
Like most leftovers, your stuffed shells should last for three to four days in a fridge set at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower . If you can't eat the extra stuffed shells so soon, put them in the freezer set at 0 degrees Fahrenheit and they will stay fresh for four months.
How do you keep jumbo shells from falling apart? ›
Cook shells one minute shy of package instructions (so they don't fall apart when you're stuffing them), drain and arrange on a baking sheet so they don't stick together.
Can stuffed shells be left out overnight? ›
Can Stuffed Shells Be Left Out Overnight? I wouldn't recommend eating these (or any) stuffed shells if they've been left out overnight. Bacteria grows rapidly at room temperature, and eating these after they've been out for more than two hours can make you sick.
