Pumpkin Dinner Recipe: Stuffed Shells

If you’re on the hunt for a unique dinner recipe with pumpkin, you'll love these decadent Pumpkin Stuffed Shells. Tender jumbo pasta shells are generously stuffed with a mix of creamy ricotta, savory pumpkin, and fresh herbs before being topped with rich Alfredo sauce & ooey-gooey burrata cheese, then baked until bubbly. It's a quick and easy, meal-prep and freezer-friendly, hearty fall meal your family will love!

📝 Ingredients

• 1 (15 ounce) Jar Alfredo Sauce ((OPTIONAL))
• 1/2 (12 ounce) package Jumbo Pasta Shells ((approximately 25-28 shells))
• 1 (15 ounce) can Pumpkin Puree
• 1 1/4 cup Parmesan (- freshly grated, divided)
• 1 cup Whole Milk Ricotta
• 1 large Egg (– lightly beaten)
• 1 large Clove Garlic (– minced)
• 2 TBS Fresh Sage Leaves ( – chopped, roughly 6 large leaves)
• 2 tsp Fresh Thyme (– roughly chopped)
• 1/2 Lemon (1 TBS Juice and 1 tsp Zest)
• scant 1/8 tsp Nutmeg
• 2 (8 ounce) Balls Burrata
• Olive oil
• Kosher Salt and Ground Black Pepper (to taste)
• Optional for garnish: Crushed Walnuts, Fresh Thyme, Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat an 8x11-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. OPTIONAL If using Alfredo sauce, spread 3/4 of a cup Alfredo sauce in the bottom of the baking dish. Set aside.
2. 2Cook pasta: Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and season generously with salt*. Add the shells. Cook pasta according to package directions until barely al dente, about 9 minutes. Drain the pasta (and drizzle with olive oil if desired) and set aside to cool.
3. 3Make pumpkin filling: Make the pumpkin filling: In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, 1 cup of parmesan, ricotta, egg, garlic, sage, thyme, lemon juice, lemon zest and nutmeg. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. 4Stuff shells with pumpkin: Fill each cooked shell with about 2 tablespoons of the pumpkin mixture. Arrange the shells snuggly into the prepared baking dish (filling side up). OPTIONAL: If using Alfredo sauce, evenly pour the remaining sauce over the shells.
5. 5Top with cheese: Tear the balls of burrata over top of the shells, allowing the burrata filling to spill onto the shells. Sprinkle with the remaining ¼ cup parmesan cheese.
6. 6Bake: Transfer to the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly. (Optional, broil during last 2-3 minutes. See notes.) Cool: Remove pumpkin shells from oven and place baking dish on a wire cooling rack. Set aside and let cool for 5 minutes. before topping with optional garnishes and serving. Enjoy!
7. 7Enjoy pumpkin dinner: Garnish and serve: Garnish your pumpkin dinner as desired and serve warm. Enjoy!