Indulge in Creamy Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Stuffed Shells: The Perfect Homemade Recipe for Two
In our fast-paced lives, finding time for a genuinely comforting, homemade meal can feel like a luxury. Yet, there’s an undeniable joy and satisfaction that comes from sitting down to a dish lovingly prepared from scratch. Our Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Stuffed Shells offer just that – a delightful escape into the world of rich flavors and hearty textures, perfect for a cozy dinner for two, or a delightful meal with some delicious leftovers for lunch.
While quick dinners are often a necessity, sometimes the soul craves something more substantial, something that whispers “comfort food” with every bite. This recipe for Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Stuffed Shells is designed to be that special meal. Imagine settling down with a fresh basket of fluffy honey butter dinner rolls, a crisp bright green onion salad, and perhaps a glass or two of your favorite wine. It’s an experience worth savoring, and it’s surprisingly achievable even on a busy weeknight.
Stuffed Shells for Two: A Game-Changer for Small Households
Classic dishes like stuffed shells and lasagna are often reserved for special occasions or large family gatherings because they typically yield massive portions. For individuals cooking for one or two people, scaling down such recipes can be a daunting task, often resulting in an overwhelming amount of leftovers or wasted ingredients. That’s where this recipe truly shines. Inspired by previous successful small-batch endeavors, such as lasagna for two and three cheese stuffed shells for two, this recipe has been perfectly calibrated to serve a smaller household without sacrificing any of the comforting abundance.
This particular version takes the beloved concept of cheese-stuffed pasta and elevates it with the creamy richness of Alfredo sauce, tender chicken, and vibrant broccoli. It’s a complete meal packed into each perfectly cooked jumbo shell, offering a delightful blend of textures and flavors that will transport you straight to your favorite Italian-American restaurant, right from the comfort of your home kitchen.
The Allure of Chicken Broccoli Alfredo
There’s a reason why Chicken Broccoli Alfredo remains a perennial favorite. The combination of rich, velvety Alfredo sauce, savory chicken, and crisp-tender broccoli is a match made in culinary heaven. This dish captures that magic, transforming it into an irresistible stuffed shell experience. Whether it’s the star of your dinner table or a delightful make-ahead meal, these shells are guaranteed to impress. We’ve always been big fans of Alfredo-based dishes, from creamy Alfredo mac and cheese to the dish you see here. Adding chicken or shrimp to the mix with broccoli creates a balanced and incredibly satisfying meal.
For this recipe, we chose chicken as a budget-friendly and widely available protein. Its mild flavor perfectly complements the creamy Alfredo and earthiness of the broccoli. However, the beauty of homemade cooking lies in its flexibility! If you’re craving a seafood twist, succulent shrimp can be easily substituted for the chicken. For a delightful vegetarian option, a generous amount of sautéed mushrooms can replace the meat, adding an earthy depth. Or, why not combine them all? Add mushrooms alongside the chicken or shrimp for an even richer profile. Truly, the kitchen is your playground, and these stuffed shells are a canvas for your culinary creativity.
Smart Shortcuts: Saving Time Without Sacrificing Flavor
While making stuffed shells from scratch, especially with a homemade Alfredo sauce, might seem like a multi-step process, there are several clever ways to streamline your cooking and save precious time. These tips allow you to enjoy a gourmet meal without feeling overwhelmed by preparation.
- Pre-Cooked Chicken: Many recipes assume you have cooked chicken on hand, which, let’s be honest, isn’t always the case. We’ve included instructions for cooking the chicken from raw, ensuring you have a complete guide. However, if you happen to have leftover cooked chicken (like from a previous dinner or a store-bought rotisserie chicken), this is an excellent opportunity to reduce your prep time significantly. Planning ahead by cooking a larger batch of chicken to use in multiple recipes throughout the week is another smart strategy!
- Make-Ahead Alfredo Sauce: Our homemade Alfredo sauce is incredibly easy to prepare, and it’s even easier if you do it in advance. You can whip up the sauce a day or two beforehand and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to assemble the shells, gently reheat the sauce over low heat. If it thickens too much after chilling and reheating, simply stir in a splash of extra heavy cream or milk until it reaches your desired consistency. This simple trick breaks down the cooking process into more manageable steps.
- Frozen Broccoli Power: While fresh broccoli offers a wonderful texture, frozen broccoli florets are a fantastic time-saver. They come pre-chopped, eliminating the need for any cutting, and cook up perfectly tender when added to the pasta water during the last few minutes. This is especially convenient if you’re looking to get dinner on the table quickly without compromising on the vegetable component.
For a unique autumn twist, consider making your sauce with my butternut squash alfredo. It adds a wonderful sweetness and seasonal flavor that complements the chicken and shells beautifully.
Understanding Serving Sizes and Enjoying Leftovers
Creating recipes that perfectly serve two can sometimes be a bit of a balancing act. This recipe is designed to yield 4 generous servings. However, in reality, many individuals enjoy a larger portion, meaning it often perfectly feeds two people for dinner, perhaps with a couple of shells left over. Alternatively, if served with a hearty side of bread and salad, it can stretch to feed two people with enough for a delicious lunch the following day.
Personally, I find the prospect of having leftovers quite appealing! It means one less meal to prepare later, offering a convenient and tasty option for lunch. For instance, this recipe often provides me with enough for dinner and then enough for two more lunches, which is incredibly handy when cooking for one. Having pre-made, delicious meals ready to go is a true gift to your future self, making busy weekdays much smoother. These stuffed shells reheat beautifully, maintaining their creamy texture and rich flavor, making them an ideal candidate for meal prepping.
Serving Suggestions and Perfect Pairings
To complete your delightful meal, consider these serving suggestions. A crisp green salad, like the green onion salad mentioned, provides a refreshing contrast to the rich Alfredo. A loaf of crusty bread or those homemade honey butter dinner rolls are perfect for soaking up any extra sauce. For beverages, a dry white wine such as a Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay would complement the creamy sauce beautifully. Non-alcoholic options like sparkling cider or a refreshing iced tea also work wonderfully. Don’t forget a simple dessert like fresh berries or a light panna cotta to round out your Italian-inspired feast.
Storage and Reheating Tips
If you find yourself with leftovers (and we hope you do!), proper storage is key to enjoying them later. Allow the stuffed shells to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. They will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze individual portions. Place cooled shells in freezer-safe containers, ideally in a single layer to prevent sticking. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
To reheat, if refrigerated, cover loosely with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. Alternatively, microwave individual portions in short bursts, stirring occasionally. If reheating from frozen, it’s best to thaw overnight in the refrigerator first, then reheat as described for refrigerated leftovers. A splash of milk or cream can be added during reheating if the sauce appears too thick.
Enjoyed this recipe? You might also love my Mediterranean Chicken Thighs for another delicious and flavorful meal idea.
Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Stuffed Shells For Two
4 servings
45 minutes
25 minutes
1 hour 10 minutes
Take some time from your busy schedule for a good home-cooked meal with Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Stuffed Shells For Two with homemade Alfredo sauce.
Ingredients
- 12 uncooked jumbo shells
- 1 cup chopped broccoli
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 1 large boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1 inch pieces and lightly salted
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 1/4 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped basil or basil paste
- 1 egg
Alfredo Sauce
- 1/4 cup (2 ounces or 4 tablespoons) unsalted butter
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Have a small casserole dish ready.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the shells according to package directions, about 14-15 minutes. During the last 2 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli. Drain and let cool.
- While the pasta is cooking, in a large skillet over medium heat, heat the oil. Add the chicken and cook for 3 minutes. Flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the onion and a big pinch of salt, scraping up any brown bits left behind. Cook until softened and starts to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute.
- Slowly whisk in the cream then whisk in the cheese. Bring to a boil. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until thickened. Taste and adjust. If it’s not salty enough, add a little more cheese.
- In a large bowl, mix together the ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, salt, basil, and egg. Add the cooked chicken and broccoli.
- Spread 1/4 cup Alfredo sauce on the bottom of the casserole dish. Stuff each shell with some of the ricotta mixture and place snug inside the dish. Top with remaining sauce and mozzarella cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted on top.
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More Stuffed Shell Inspiration
If you’ve fallen in love with the convenience and deliciousness of stuffed shells, there’s a whole world of variations to explore! Here are a few more recipes to keep your meal rotation exciting and flavorful:
Three Cheese Stuffed Shells For Two