Baked Pumpkin Stuffed Shells with Burrata

5 from 10 votes

Baked Pumpkin Stuffed Shells with Burrata

These Baked Pumpkin Stuffed Shells with Burrata are fall comfort food at its finest! Tender jumbo pasta shells are generously stuffed with a mix of creamy ricotta, savory pumpkin and fresh herbs; then topped with rich burrata and baked until bubbly. It's a decadent and insanely delicious twist on traditional stuffed shells!

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time40 mins

Total Time55 mins

Course: entree

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: alfredo, baked, Burrata, chicken pasta, comfort food, Easy, fall, herbs, pumpkin, ricotta, shells, stuffed

Servings:

Calories: 417kcal

Author: Cheyanne Holzworth

Ingredients

1 (15 ounce) Jar Alfredo Sauce OPTIONAL
½ (12 ounce) package Jumbo Pasta Shells (approximately 25-28 shells)
1 (15 ounce) can Pumpkin Puree
1 ¼ 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
½ 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

Preheat 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.
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.
Make the 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.
Stuff shells: 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.
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.
Bake: Transfer to the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly*. Let cool for 5 minutes before topping with optional garnishes and serving. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

You can either make your own pumpkin puree or used the canned variety. Just make sure you do NOT purchase canned pumpkin pie filling!! It is NOT the same thing as pumpkin puree!
Make sure you are properly salting your water for cooking the pasta. Use 1 tablespoon of kosher salt and 4 quarts of water. AFTER the water has come to a rolling boil, stir in the salt.
Just as properly salting your pasta water is important, so is cooking your pasta shells until BARELY al dente, which is approximately 9 minutes. The shells will continue to cook in the oven, so it is imperative you do NOT overcook them!!
The stuffed shells can be prepared, through step 3, a day in advance. Simply stuff the shells with the pumpkin mixture, but do not top them with the Alfredo, burrata or parmesan. Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator. 30 minutes prior to baking, remove the dish from the oven and place it on the counter to remove the chill. Top the shells with both cheeses and continue with the recipe as instructed.
If you like a more golden brown color and slight crispness to the top of your cheesy shells, I highly recommend you switch the oven to broil during the last 2-3 minutes of baking. Just make sure you watch the oven VERY carefully!! Things can go from perfect to burnt in a matter of seconds!

*Nutritional information does not include optional Alfredo sauce.

Nutrition