24 shell recipes

Jumbo pasta shells stuffed with ricotta, Parmesan, ham, and fresh herbs, baked in spaghetti sauce. A filling Italian dinner that's on the table in under an hour.

Turtle shells are a novelty edible-insect snack: cooked cicadas dipped in warm chocolate glaze and cooled into crunchy, chocolate-topped morsels. A bold entry into entomophagy for the adventurous.

Cornmeal pie shell made with flour, cornmeal, and shortening. A sturdy, subtly sweet crust ideal for savory Southwest pies, quiches, or fruit tarts.

Stuffed shells florentine with jumbo pasta shells filled with spinach, mushrooms, cottage cheese, and garlic, baked in marinara. Lighter Italian comfort food.

Yeast-risen dessert pizza shells made with apple juice in the dough, shaped like individual tart shells and baked crisp. Top with ricotta, fresh fruit, nuts, and a dusting of powdered sugar.

A cold tuna pasta salad with green chiles, horseradish mayo, green olives, and avocado tossed in shell pasta. Let it sit 2 hours for the flavors to meld.

Spinach ricotta stuffed shells with a cabbage twist, baked in tomato-broth sauce with nutmeg. A lighter Italian-American main with hidden-vegetable smarts.

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.

Fruit and pasta shell salad with fruit cocktail, banana, apple, and cinnamon whipped topping. A creamy, sweet side dish or potluck dessert served cold.

The crust is a filled Italian bread shell loaded with tasty "toppings". Hearty and vegetarian!

Graham cracker pie shell made with just crushed graham crackers and melted margarine. A no-bake, two-ingredient crust that chills firm and holds any cream, custard, or cheesecake filling.

Lower calorie pie shell with less shortening than traditional crusts. Three simple ingredients, one hour chill, and a flaky crust for any pie recipe.

This recipe is delicious but might be too barbaric for some.

This sorbet, based simply on commercially canned pears, can be enhanced with the flavor of eau-de-vie de poire (pear liqueur) or, if preferred, with fresh lemon juice.

Soft shell crabs simmered in a white wine tomato sauce with scallions, fresh mint, garlic, and red pepper flakes. An Italian-style seafood dish for two, ready in an hour.

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