🎃 Pumpkin Ricotta Stuffed Shells with Sage Brown Butter

Jumbo pasta shells filled with a creamy pumpkin-ricotta mixture, baked in a spiced béchamel, and finished with golden sage brown butter. A comforting, elegant twist on baked pasta.

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🧑‍🍳 Overview

• Difficulty: Medium
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Servings: 3–4
• Cuisine: Seasonal Italian-Inspired

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📝 Ingredients

For the Filling:

• 1 cup pumpkin purée (not pie filling)
• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• Optional: pinch of chili flakes or sage

For the Sauce:

• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• Salt & pepper
• Pinch of nutmeg
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan

For Assembly:

• 16–18 jumbo pasta shells
• 2 tbsp butter
• 6–8 fresh sage leaves
• Extra Parmesan for topping

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🧑‍🍳 Instructions

1. Boil Pasta Shells

• Cook shells until just under al dente (they’ll finish in the oven). Drain and cool.

2. Make the Filling

• Combine pumpkin purée, ricotta, Parmesan, garlic, salt, pepper, and nutmeg in a bowl. Mix well and chill slightly.

3. Make the Béchamel Sauce

• In a saucepan, melt butter and whisk in flour to make a roux.
• Slowly add milk while whisking to create a smooth sauce.
• Simmer until thickened; season with salt, pepper, nutmeg, and Parmesan.

4. Fill the Shells

• Spoon the pumpkin mixture into each shell and arrange in a lightly greased baking dish.

5. Bake

• Pour the béchamel sauce over the stuffed shells.
• Cover with foil and bake at 190°C / 375°F for 25 minutes.
• Remove foil, sprinkle Parmesan on top, and bake 10 minutes more until golden.

6. Sage Brown Butter Finish

• In a small pan, melt 2 tbsp butter. Add sage leaves and cook until butter browns and sage crisps slightly.
• Drizzle over the shells before serving.

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🍽️ Nutritional Highlights (per serving, approx.)

• Calories: ~480
• Protein: 17g
• Carbs: 42g
• Fat: 27g

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🛠️ Featured Tool

🧄 Pastry Bag or Spoon for Easy Shell Stuffing

👉 Check it out on Amazon

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⚠️ Amazon Affiliate Disclosure

AI Culinary Arts is reader-supported. Some links in this post are Amazon affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you.

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📂 Categories

• Main Categories: Pasta, Vegetarian
• Additional Tags:
  • Pumpkin Recipes
  • Fall Comfort Food
  • Oven-Baked Dishes
  • Ricotta Stuffed
  • Pasta Shells
  • Medium Difficulty