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How to Reheat Stuffed Shells

Since my wife and I love stuffed shells, we don’t make them often enough. We sometimes add a little twist with different ingredients or cheeses to switch it up.

This time around, I wanted to share 3 ways how to reheat your leftover stuffed shells that have been refrigerated overnight so they are warm and inviting for another meal!

Skillet with stuffed shells

How to Reheat Stuffed Shells 3 Ways

Stuffed shells can be a delicious leftover! The best three methods to reheat stuffed shells are in the oven, on the stovetop, or in the microwave. Each method has pros and cons.

Ideally, if you have the time, reheating in the oven is going to be your best bet.

But if you are in a rush you can certainly reheat them in the microwave. Just know that you will lose some of the great texture and taste.

Hey, by the way, if you’re looking for bread to serve with your shells check out my post on how to reheat naan bread.

Oven

Reheating stuffed shells in the oven is the best way to achieve the same great flavor and texture. Make sure that you are using an oven-safe dish when you are reheating in the oven.

Preheat the oven to 375°F and place all of your stuffed shells in the dish while you wait for the oven to get up to temperature.

The Breville smart ovens are great for reheating food! It preheats fast and reheats your food quicker. Check out my review of the Breville Air Fryer Pro on YouTube.

Cover your dish with aluminum foil. This will help keep the heat in and warm the inside without burning the tops of the shells or cheese.

Allow for your stuffed shells to reheat for about 25 minutes. Check them using a thermometer to see if the insides are hot enough. If not, allow a few more minutes and check again.

You want the internal temperature of the stuffed shells to reach 165°F before taking them out.

These steps are pretty much the same when you reheat lasagna or stuffed peppers.

Summary

  • To reheat stuffed shells, preheat the oven to 375°F
  • Arrange them into a baking dish. Cover with foil
  • Reheat in the oven for 25 minutes, and check them to see how they are doing and if they will need more time.

If you don’t mind reheating in the oven then you need to learn how to reheat pizza in the oven.

Stove top

Using the stovetop to reheat your stuffed shells is not the typical method but it can certainly get the job done!

You may find that the bottoms of the shells can get a little crispy from cooking in the pan but the rest of the shells should be al dente when they were first cooked.

The key to reheating on the stove is to make sure that you have liquid in the pan so that the stuffed shells do not burn to the bottom of the pan. You will also want a pan that has a cover.

Heat the pan on medium to low heat with just enough water to cover the bottom of the pan about a 1/4 cup. This will vary due to the size of the pan that you are using.

Place the stuffed shells into the pan and cover. The cover is important to keep in the moisture and heat so that the inside of the stuffed shells are heating as well.

After 3-5 minutes check them to make sure that they are not sticking to the bottom of the pan. If they are you may need to add a couple of tablespoons of water to the bottom of the pan.

Once the inside of your stuffed shells has reached 165°F then you can remove them from the pan and serve.

Summary

  • Get yourself the largest pan you have that also has a lid.
  • Place the shells and a little bit of water in the pan. Cover the pan and let them warm up on medium/low heat.
  • Check them after a few minutes and every 5 minutes until they are heated through. You don’t want them to burn or get stuck to the bottom of the pan.
  • Remove the pan when they hit 165 degrees F.

Microwave

Reheating stuffed shells in the microwave is going to be the fastest way to reheat but it won’t give you the best taste or texture.

The biggest downfall of reheating in the microwave is that foods tend to get soggy or rubbery. Pasta, like stuffed shells, will typically become rubbery in texture, but if you are in a hurry this method with surely get the job done.

Place your stuffed shells on a microwave-safe dish and add either a little extra sauce or a little bit of water over the top.

Cover the dish with a paper towel or a microwave plate cover and cook on medium heat for 1 minute.

Check the shells and continue to cook in 1-minute increments until they are heated all the way through.

Summary

  • Place your stuffed shells on a microwave-safe dish.
  • Drizzle a little extra sauce or water onto the dish before covering it and microwave for 1 minute at medium heat.
  • Check the shells to see if they have cooked through. Repeat as needed

Proper food storage is kept before reheating foods. Learn how to store leftovers to be confident that they are safe to eat.

Pros and Cons of reheating stuffed shell methods

ProsCons
OvenSame great taste and textureTakes 25 or so minutes
Stove-topGood flavor and textureBottoms can get crispy
Takes 5-10 minutes
MicrowaveQuick to reheatRubbery shells

Frequently asked questions about how to reheat stuffed shells

Stuffed shells can last in the fridge for 3-5 days if stored properly. Make sure to store them in an airtight container. Do not leave cooked stuffed shells out for longer than two hours before storing them in the fridge.

Yes, before you bake frozen stuffed shells you will want to thaw them. Simply take them out of the freezer and allow them to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.

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