Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Stuffed Shells are rich, creamy, and full of comforting flavor. With tender pasta shells packed with shredded chicken, broccoli, and a creamy Alfredo sauce, then baked under a blanket of cheese, this dish is everything I want in a cozy, satisfying dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it blends classic Alfredo flavor with a hearty baked pasta twist. The shells hold the creamy chicken and broccoli filling perfectly, and the cheesy topping makes every bite indulgent. It’s easy to prep ahead, freezer-friendly, and always a hit at the dinner table.
ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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Jumbo pasta shells
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Cooked, shredded chicken
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Broccoli florets (steamed or blanched)
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Alfredo sauce (homemade or store-bought)
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Ricotta cheese
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Shredded mozzarella cheese
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Grated Parmesan cheese
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Egg
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Garlic powder
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Italian seasoning
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Salt
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Black pepper
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Fresh parsley (for garnish)
directions
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I preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
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I cook the pasta shells according to the package directions until just al dente, then drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking.
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In a large bowl, I mix the shredded chicken, chopped broccoli, ricotta cheese, half the mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
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I spread a layer of Alfredo sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.
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I fill each cooked shell with the chicken and broccoli mixture and place them in the dish, open side up.
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I pour the remaining Alfredo sauce evenly over the top of the stuffed shells.
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I sprinkle the rest of the mozzarella cheese over everything.
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I cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 10–15 minutes, or until bubbly and golden.
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I garnish with chopped parsley and let it rest a few minutes before serving.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes 5–6 servings and takes about 20 minutes to prep and 35–40 minutes to bake, ready in under 1 hour total.
Variations
Sometimes I use spinach instead of broccoli, or mix in sautéed mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes for more depth. For extra flavor, I stir some pesto into the filling or use a blend of mozzarella and provolone. I’ve also made it with rotisserie chicken for a quick shortcut.
storage/reheating
Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days. I reheat them in the oven at 350°F covered with foil, or microwave in short intervals. To freeze, I assemble the dish without baking, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. I bake it from frozen, adding extra time as needed.
FAQs
Can I use frozen broccoli?
Yes, I thaw it first and pat it dry to avoid excess water in the filling.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Definitely. I often assemble the dish earlier in the day or the night before, then bake it when ready to serve.
Is store-bought Alfredo okay?
Yes, it works well. I choose a good-quality jar or make my own if I have time for a fresher flavor.
Can I skip the ricotta?
I can substitute with cottage cheese or a blend of cream cheese and sour cream, though it may change the texture slightly.
Do I need to cover it while baking?
I cover it for the first part of baking to keep it moist, then uncover to let the cheese brown.
Conclusion
Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Stuffed Shells are a creamy, cheesy, and deeply comforting meal that’s always worth the effort. Whether I make it for a cozy weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It’s one of those recipes I turn to when I want something hearty, homey, and full of flavor.
Print
Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Stuffed Shells
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 5–6 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Stuffed Shells are a rich, creamy baked pasta dish featuring tender jumbo shells filled with shredded chicken, broccoli, and cheese, all smothered in Alfredo sauce and baked to perfection.
Ingredients
- 20 jumbo pasta shells
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 1 ½ cups broccoli florets (steamed or blanched)
- 2 cups Alfredo sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook pasta shells al dente according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- In a large bowl, mix chicken, chopped broccoli, ricotta, half of the mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Spread a layer of Alfredo sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.
- Fill each pasta shell with the chicken and broccoli mixture and place them open-side up in the dish.
- Pour remaining Alfredo sauce over the shells and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 10–15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and let rest a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quick shortcut.
- Frozen broccoli can be used—thaw and pat dry before mixing.
- To freeze, assemble without baking and store tightly covered for up to 2 months.
- Substitute ricotta with cottage cheese or a blend of cream cheese and sour cream if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3-4 shells
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 110mg