Surf and Turf Stuffed Shells: Creamy Pasta Delight

If you’re looking to impress your friends and family with a dish that’s as decadent as it is delicious, you’ve come to the right place. Surf and Turf Stuffed Shells: Creamy Pasta Delight are a game changer. Imagine jumbo pasta shells brimming with a mouthwatering blend of smoky tri-tip and succulent shrimp, all smothered in a rich, creamy sauce.

Watch How to Make It

Trust me, these stuffed shells will disappear faster than you can say "dinner's ready."

What makes this dish truly special is the combination of flavors and textures. The creamy cheese sauce pairs perfectly with the savory tri-tip and the sweet, tender shrimp. Plus, the gooey cheese on top creates that perfect golden crust that makes every bite a little piece of heaven.

Whether you're hosting a dinner party or just treating yourself on a cozy night in, these stuffed shells are sure to be a hit.

Now, let’s dive into why you’ll absolutely love making these Surf and Turf Stuffed Shells. Not only are they packed with flavor, but they’re also surprisingly easy to whip up. The heavy cream and two types of cheese add a richness that complements the meat and seafood beautifully.

Plus, they look impressive on the table, making you the superstar chef of the night. Seriously, your guests will think you’ve been slaving away in the kitchen for hours!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe is all about indulgence. With the creamy sauce and the mix of shrimp and smoked tri-tip, you’ll get a delightful burst of flavors in every bite. The combination of seafood and meat is a classic surf-and-turf flavor profile that never goes out of style.

Plus, the gooey mozzarella and smoked Gouda give it that extra layer of cheesy goodness that’s hard to resist.

Another thing I love about these stuffed shells is how customizable they are. You can easily swap out ingredients based on what you have on hand or your personal preferences. Not a fan of shrimp?

No problem! You can use chicken or even some veggies to switch it up. This dish is a blank canvas that lets your creativity shine while still delivering a comforting meal.

And let’s not forget about the presentation. These shells look gorgeous when plated, with that creamy sauce oozing out and the cheese bubbling on top. It’s a dish that’s sure to impress anyone who sees it.

You might even find that they’re taking pictures before they dig in!

Ingredients & Tools You'll Need

To make these Surf and Turf Stuffed Shells, you’ll need a handful of ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. Start with smoked tri-tip, which brings that wonderful smoky flavor to the dish. You’ll also need some shrimp, which should be peeled and deveined for convenience.

Jumbo pasta shells are a must for holding all that delicious filling.

For the creamy sauce, we’re using heavy cream, shredded mozzarella, and smoked Gouda. I like to go heavy on the cheese here because, let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a good cheese pull? You’ll also need some all-purpose seasoning, Italian seasoning, olive oil, and garlic paste to tie everything together.

Don’t forget a baking dish and a plastic bag to help with stuffing those shells!

How To Make It

Now that you’ve got everything ready, let’s get cooking! This part is where the magic happens, and I promise it’s easier than it sounds. We’ll break it down into two main sections: preparation and cooking.

Preparation

First things first, let’s sauté the shrimp. In a skillet, heat up some olive oil and add in the garlic paste. Once that garlic starts smelling amazing, toss in the shrimp.

You’ll want to cook them until they turn pink and opaque, which usually takes just a few minutes. Once they’re done, set them aside to cool.

Next, boil the jumbo pasta shells according to the package instructions. You want them to be al dente since they'll cook a bit more when baked. While those are cooking, grab a pot and warm up the heavy cream over medium heat.

Stir in your seasonings and let it simmer until it thickens up a little. Then, toss in most of the smoked Gouda and about a third of the mozzarella until it melts into a creamy sauce.

Cooking

Once your sauce is ready, it’s time to combine everything. In a large bowl, mix the sautéed shrimp with the diced tri-tip and half a cup of the creamy sauce. Make sure it’s all well combined.

Now for the fun part: transfer that mixture into a plastic bag, cut off a corner, and pipe it into the shells. It’s way easier than trying to spoon it in!

In your baking dish, spread a little of the cheese sauce on the bottom to prevent sticking. Place the stuffed shells in the dish snugly, then pour the remaining sauce over the top. Finally, sprinkle the rest of that gooey mozzarella over everything.

Bake at 350°F for about 20 to 25 minutes, until the top is golden brown and bubbly. You’ll know they’re done when you see that beautiful cheese bubbling and a little browning happening on top.

Serving & Variations

When it comes to serving, these stuffed shells are a showstopper on their own, but you can always pair them with a fresh green salad or some garlic bread for a complete meal. If you're feeling adventurous, try adding some spinach or artichokes to the filling for a veggie twist.

A common consensus among home cooks is that these shells freeze beautifully too. Just prep them and store them in an airtight container before baking. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw and bake as directed.

It’s like having gourmet comfort food ready at a moment's notice!

Wrapping Up

So there you have it, folks! These Surf and Turf Stuffed Shells: Creamy Pasta Delight are sure to impress anyone lucky enough to sit at your table. With their rich flavors and cheesy goodness, you'll be craving them long after the last bite.

Recipe created by Cookingwithcj for Trust Me Try It.

Surf and Turf Stuffed Shells: Creamy Pasta Delight

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 25 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• Smoked TriTip diced up
• Shrimp, peeled, deveined and diced up
• Jumbo pasta shells
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella
• 2 cups shredded smoked Gouda
• 1/2 tbsp all purpose seasoning
• 1/2 tbsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp garlic paste

Instructions

• Sauté the shrimp in olive oil and garlic paste
• Mix the chopped TriTip with the cooked shrimp
• Boil the shells according to box directions
• In a pot over medium heat, add the cream and seasonings
• Stir in most of the Gouda cheese and 1/3 of the mozzarella
• Once the cheese sauce is done, add 1/2 cup to the shrimp and TriTip mixture
• Add the rest of the Gouda and another 1/3 of the mozzarella to the shrimp and TriTip and mix
• Add the shrimp and TriTip mix to a plastic bag and cut the corner off
• In a baking dish, spoon in a little of the cheese sauce to cover the bottom
• Pipe the shrimp and TriTip mix into the shells and place them evenly in the dish
• Cover the shells with the remaining cheese sauce
• Top with the rest of the mozzarella
• Bake at 350°F for 20–25 minutes until golden brown
• Remove, let cool for a few minutes, then serve and enjoy