Shell Yeah! Cheesy Chorizo Stuffed Shells

If you love comfort food with a little kick, these creamy chorizo stuffed shells are about to be your new favorite weeknight dinner.

I’ve made stuffed pasta shells three different ways now: diced shrimp with mozzarella and cream sauce, the classic ground beef with marinara and ricotta, and now this: Tex-Mex inspired chorizo stuffed shells. And this one definitely takes the crown!

The spicy, deeply savory flavor of the chorizo paired with creamy chive and onion cream cheese makes for the ultimate cozy meal. It’s rich, a little smoky, and easy – I put this together in less than 30 minutes!

To balance things out, I served it with a zesty cucumber tomato feta salad tossed in lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, salt, and pepper. The freshness cuts through the richness of the pasta perfectly. Trust me, you’re going to want to add this meal to your dinner rotation immediately.

Love recipes like this? I share my latest food finds, easy weeknight favorites, and kitchen experiments over on my Substack, Yeah Keeks Cooks. Come hang out with me there for more!

Ingredients

For the Stuffed Shells:

12 jumbo pasta shells
1 lb chorizo
4 oz chive & onion cream cheese (or regular)
1 cup shredded Mexican cheese
1 cup marinara sauce
3 cloves garlic, chopped

For the Salad:

1 cucumber, sliced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
⅓ cup feta cheese
To taste: lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, salt & pepper

Directions

Cook the pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Brown the chorizo in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked. Add chopped garlic and sauté for another minute.
Mix in the cream cheese and marinara while the pan is still warm until it melts into a creamy sauce.
Stuff each shell with the chorizo mixture and arrange them in a baking dish.
Top with shredded cheese over the top and bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, until bubbly and slightly golden.
Make the salad: slice cucumber, tomatoes, and toss with feta. Add lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Serve together — the creamy, spicy shells and zesty salad balance each other perfectly. Enjoy!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Tex-Mex meets Italian for the ultimate comfort food fusion
Creamy, cheesy, and full of smoky chorizo flavor
Balanced by a bright, refreshing side salad
Easy weeknight dinner — done in about 30 minutes!

Tips & Variations

Add jalapeño cream cheese for an extra kick.
Top with fresh cilantro or green onions for an extra pinch of color and flavor.