Seafood stuffed pasta shells in a creamy cheesy sauce

Seafood stuffed pasta is made from jumbo pasta shells stuffed with juicy prawns, tender calamari and plump mussels and oven-baked in a creamy cheese sauce. You'd think that a dish this good should be reserved for a special occasion, but it's so easy to make I'm sure it's going to make a regular appearance at your dinner table!

📝 Ingredients

• 12 ounces / 320 grams jumbo-sized pasta shells ((allow extra for breakage))
• 8 ounces / 250 grams frozen raw prawns (shrimp)
• 8 ounces / 250 grams frozen cooked mixed seafood (seafood cocktail)
• 1 1/2 cups / 150 grams mushrooms (chopped into 1cm pieces)
• 2 medium onions (chopped into 1cm pieces)
• 2 cloves garlic (crushed / minced)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (for frying the mushrooms and onions)
• 2 ounces / 60 grams butter
• 2 tablespoons / 30 grams flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese (for the sauce)
• 1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese (for sprinkling on top)
• Salt and ground black pepper to taste

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Boil the pasta in a large pan of salted boiling water, according to the instructions on the packet.
2. 2Drain the cooked pasta through a colander and then rinse under cold running water to stop the cooking process. Leave to drain in the colander until needed.
3. 3Chop the mushrooms and onions into 1cm dice and peel and mince the garlic. Fry gently in 1 tablespoon olive oil until the onions are translucent and the mushrooms have started to soften.
4. 4Chop the defrosted prawns into 2 or 3 pieces, depending on the size, then add to the mushrooms and onions and fry gently until the shrimp is completely pink - approximately 5 minutes.
5. 5Add the defrosted seafood mix and stir through to combine.
6. 6Carefully spoon 1 to 2 tablespoons of the seafood mixture into each of the cooked pasta shells and arrange open side up in a baking dish.Scatter any remaining seafood mixture over the top.
7. 7--- Cheese sauce ---
8. 8Set the oven to 180°C / 375°F
9. 9Melt the butter in a saucepan, then remove from the heat and mix in the flour until there are no lumps
10. 10Return to the heat and add the milk. Stir continuously until the mixture comes to the boil and thickens.
11. 11Add the grated cheese and stir until melted.
12. 12Season with salt (optional) and plenty of freshly ground black pepper
13. 13Pour the sauce over the pasta shells in the baking dish, taking care to cover completely.
14. 14Sprinkle with the remaining grated cheese
15. 15Bake in a preheated oven for 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden.
16. 16Serve with a fresh tomato salad and slices of garlic bread.