7 Grown-Up Recipes for Pasta Shells

While you can't go wrong with classic macaroni and cheese at any age, being a grown-up means you can also dress up your pasta shells with exciting ingredients. From an umami-packed mushroom pasta to giant shells with creamy artichoke-kale filling, choose a pasta shells recipe for an adult palate.

Baked Shells with Cauliflower and Taleggio

High-quality pasta makes a big difference in this decadent dish: The shells retain their beautiful texture instead of turning mushy as they bake.

Pasta Shells with Shrimp and Garlicky Breadcrumbs

Parmesan and a lemon anchovy dressing coat shells, shrimp, and curly endive for a pasta salad that's second cousin to a shrimp Caesar. 

Pasta with Mushrooms and Mascarpone

A range of mushrooms — including cremini, shiitakes, and chanterelles — gives this rich dish its fantastic earthy flavor.

Pasta Shells with Chicken and Brussels Sprouts

If you've always thought that you dislike brussels sprouts, you've probably never tried them in a combination like this.

Ricotta and Fontina Stuffed Shells with Fennel and Radicchio

Jumbo shells star in this cheesy, vegetable-packed pasta dish.

Pasta with Sausage, Basil, and Mustard

British cookbook author Nigel Slater matches spicy sausage with a creamy mustard sauce.

 Kale-Artichoke Stuffed Shells

Cannellini beans add hearty creaminess to these stuffed shells, while mild heat from Calabrian chiles and earthy sweetness from fennel seeds amp up jarred marinara.