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Looking for a twist on traditional Italian cuisine? Serve up some Cajun Chicken Stuffed Shells for a new and exciting dinner.

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The delicious spice of the Cajun seasoning, ricotta, and chicken stuffed shells offer mouthwatering creole flavors you’ve been missing! Top these creamy shells off with a homemade tomato Alfredo sauce, light lemon drizzle and mozzarella cheese.

Ready in 35-40 minutes, these Cajun chicken stuffed shells are easy enough for a busy weeknight, but will also impress your dinner guests! 

Cajun stuffed shells are hands down a comfort food dish. The tender shells are filled with cajun seasoned ricotta cheese and chicken, and it’s the perfect combination. 

I also think this is a fancy dish to serve your spouse for date night! Just pair with a glass of your favorite drink and it will be as good as a meal at a 5 star restaurant.

What to Serve with Cajun Stuffed Shells?

Since these Cajun stuffed shells can be a bit rich, serving something light on the side would be my recommendation. Try pairing these shells with a side salad filled with arugula, spinach, walnuts, dried cranberries and a drizzle of balsamic dressing.

You could even oven roast some seasoned broccoli and bell peppers or zucchini to serve as a tasty side vegetable.  

Hosting a dinner gathering? You could also provide homemade bread, perfect for cleaning up the extra tomato alfredo sauce on your plate! A hot buttery roll will also do the trick. 

What is in Cajun Chicken Stuffed Shells?

You can find other stuffed shell recipes with Alfredo sauce, however, as much as I enjoy Alfredo sauce, I usually feel it is too heavy. You will see in this recipe, I add tomatoes to my sauce. The acidity helps cut some of the richness of all the cream and cheese.

Likewise, I also squeeze a bit of fresh lemon juice over the top, which is so subtle you’ll barely even notice the lemon flavor. But it too, helps reduce the heaviness of all that creamy goodness! 

I like to cook with a balance of flavors in mind. Too much of one flavor can be just that– too much! So for rich recipes like these creamy cajun stuffed shells, I like to add a few ingredients that help keep each bite from becoming too heavy. 

Cajun Chicken Stuffed Shells INGREDIENTS

• 1 Package of jumbo pasta shells (cooked until just tender)
• 2 Cups mozzarella cheese (to top the shells before baking)
• ½ Squeezed lemon
• ¼ Cup finely chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
• 1 Tsp crushed red pepper (for garnish)

For the Chicken Filling

• 15oz. Ricotta cheese
• 1/2 Cup grated parmesan
• 2 Cups cooked, shredded chicken
• 1 Egg
• 1/4 Cup sour cream or substitute w. plain yogurt
• 1 Tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 1/2 Tsp black pepper
• 1/2 Tsp salt
• 2 Tsp chopped fresh parsley

For the Tomato Alfredo Sauce

• 4 Tbsp salted butter
• 3 Chopped fresh garlic cloves
• 16-20 cherry tomatoes
• 1 ¼ Cup heavy cream
• 1 Cup skim or 1% milk
• 1/2 Cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 Tbsp flour (heaping)
• 2 Tsp Cajun seasoning (optional for additional heat)

Notes and Substitutions

Feel free to make substitutions, such as the sour cream for yogurt. Although, with a dish like this, there aren’t too many ways to make it deemed “healthier”. This is a meal to indulge in! 

If you want to really taste more spicy creole flavoring, then make sure to add those 2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning to the tomato Alfredo sauce. Or more if you feel there is never enough spice!  

I personally have kiddos at home, and they don’t appreciate anything too spicy. So I opt to leave out the Cajun seasoning in the Alfredo sauce in hopes they will enjoy it more. 

How To Make Creamy Cajun Chicken Stuffed Shells

Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Step 2. Cook the pasta shells until almost fully cooked. I like to pull mine before they become too tender, this helps them keep their structure while stuffing them, and they will continue to cook a little once placed in the oven.

Step 3. While the shells are cooking, prepare the chicken filling by combining the ricotta cheese, egg, cooked shredded chicken, parmesan cheese, sour cream/or yogurt, cajun seasoning, black pepper, salt, and fresh parsley, mixing until well combined. Then set aside.

Step 4. Once your shells are cooked, drain them in a strainer and spray down with cool water to prevent sticking. Let them cool in the stainer while you prepare the tomato Alfredo sauce.

Step 5. Heat a small sauce pan on medium heat and melt the butter. Add the chopped garlic and cherry tomatoes. Let the tomatoes cook until tender enough to burst open using the back of a spoon. Then stir in 1 heaping Tbsp of flour.

Step 6. Slowly pour in the heavy cream and add the parmesan cheese and cajun seasoning (if desired). Let it simmer for 4-5 minutes until the sauce thickens, then add 1 cup of milk and stir through, simmering for another minute or so.

Step 7. Gently pour the sauce into the bottom of a large baking dish. 

Step 8. Generously stuff your shells with the chicken and cheese filling you had set aside,  then place your shells on top of the sauce, lining the baking dish. Squeeze one half of a fresh lemon over the shells, and sprinkle on the mozzarella cheese.

Step 9. Bake in the oven uncovered for 20 minutes.

Step 10. Once the Cajun chicken stuffed shells are done baking, you can garnish with additional fresh parsley and red pepper flakes.

Printable Recipe Card

Can I Make Creamy Cajun Stuffed Shells in advance?

Want to prep these cajun stuffed shells to bake later in the week? You can make these shells up to two days in advance. Place plastic wrap over the baking dish and store in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake.

For those ultimate meal planners, you can also stuff the shells, wrap them in foil and keep them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Simply let them thaw in the refrigerator the day before cooking.

If you are baking the shells after refrigeration, adjust your cooking time to 25-30 minutes or until heated through.

Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Just reheat in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time, as pasta can reheat quickly. 

More Delicious Dinner Recipes

I really hope you enjoyed this recipe! How much Cajun seasoning do you prefer–extra spicy or mild?  

If you are looking for more bold-flavored recipes, you should check out these next:

• One Pot Creamy Spinach Tortellini Soup
• Simple Chicken Tortellini with Pumpkin Alfredo Sauce
• Spicy Chicken Chili Recipe | Crockpot White Chicken Chili

You can also visit my recipe archives here.

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~Sarah