Stuffed Shells with Vodka Sauce

Stuffed Shells with Vodka Sauce recipe videos

Stuffed Shells with Vodka Sauce is a classic Italian-American comfort dish featuring large pasta shells filled with a rich cheese mixture, typically ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan, then baked in a creamy, tomato-based vodka sauce. It originated as a popular restaurant and home-cooked meal in the United States, drawing inspiration from traditional Italian pasta al forno (baked pasta) recipes.

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This dish is high in calories, fat, and protein, with a moderate amount of carbohydrates. It provides a good source of calcium and protein from the cheese filling, but is also high in sodium and saturated fat, with a typical serving containing around 500-600 calories.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	550 kcal
Protein	28 g
Carbs	42 g
Fat	30 g
Fiber	3 g
Sugar	8 g
Sodium	850 mg
Calcium	450 mg
Iron	3.5 mg
Vitamin A	300 mcg
Vitamin C	15 mg
Potassium	420 mg
Phosphorus	380 mg
Vitamin B12	1.2 mcg
Selenium	18 mcg

Per 3 large stuffed shells (approx. 280 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, vodka sauce itself is an Italian-American invention, believed to have been created in the 1970s or 80s, blending Italian tomatoes with the perceived sophistication of vodka. Nutritionally, the tomato-vodka sauce can enhance the bioavailability of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant found in tomatoes.