451 shell recipes

Plump shucked oysters in a buttery cream sauce seasoned with mace and nutmeg, spooned into flaky patty shells. A classic seafood appetizer or elegant holiday main course.

Baked bay scallops with sauteed mushrooms, shallots, and breadcrumbs served in seafood shells. A classic French-style appetizer finished under the broiler.

Sauteed soft-shell crab in sizzling butter topped with browned pecans. A Cajun classic with just 4 ingredients and crispy, golden results in under 30 minutes.

Puff pastry patty shells (vol-au-vent cases) with golden flaky walls and a hollow center for creamy fillings. Two-ingredient pastry cases that bake sky-high from frozen rounds.

Spicy cheese-stuffed shells with a three-cheese filling and tomatoes with green chilies sauce. A lighter stuffed pasta with low-fat cottage cheese and part-skim mozzarella.

Light-as-air meringue kisses and edible shells made from egg whites, powdered sugar, and almond extract. Fill the shells with whipped cream and fresh fruit.

Grilled soft-shell crab sandwiches: whole crabs grilled hot for two and a half minutes per side, piled onto rolls with green chile aioli, mixed greens, and sliced tomato.

Jumbo pasta shells stuffed with ricotta, prosciutto, Parmesan, and fresh basil, baked in a garlic-anchovy cream sauce. An Italian dinner party dish in 45 minutes.

Flaky puff pastry shells filled with orange-scented cream cheese whipped cream and topped with cherry pie filling. A dinner party dessert that looks dressed up but takes 30 minutes.

Lobster tails in patty shells spoons sweet lobster meat in a sauterne-spiked cream sauce with mushrooms, olives, and pimento into golden puff pastry shells. A retro special-occasion dinner straight from the supper-club era.

Soft shell crabs stuffed with cheese, breaded, and baked in tomato sauce until crispy on top and melty inside. A Chesapeake Bay classic that's easier than frying.

Shrimp and tomato in scallop shells with garlic, fennel seed, lime juice, and parsley. A quick, elegant appetizer or light main that comes together in 30 minutes.

Lemon chicken in puff pastry shells with chicken gravy, thyme, and mixed vegetables. A retro comfort-food main course that turns pantry staples into a dressed-up chicken pot pie in under 40 minutes.

Charcoal-grilled hard-shell crabs brushed with Thai chili paste, tomato, and garlic olive oil, served with corn grilled in the husk. A summer cookout feast with an East-meets-West kick.

Crustless quiche in a green chile shell with chorizo sausage, Monterey Jack cheese, and a five-egg custard. Whole green chiles line the pie plate as a gluten-free, low-carb crust alternative with built-in Southwestern heat.

Graham cracker pie crust with just three ingredients and optional sugar replacement for diabetic-friendly baking. Bake or chill to set, ready in minutes.