Ina Garten’s Lobster & Shells Recipe for Seafood Lovers

Lobster pairs with pasta for a coastal twist on classic comfort food.

Shells cradle each bite of sweet seafood and creamy sauce.

Mediterranean elements like lemon and herbs elevate the flavor.

It’s indulgent without being heavy, refined without being fussy.

The dish feels like summer on a plate.

Dinner becomes a seaside escape with just a few simple steps.

Why Lobster and Shells Is a Fancy Comfort Classic

• Savor Summer's Seafood Symphony: This recipe captures the essence of warm-weather dining with a luxurious blend of tender lobster and perfectly cooked pasta, creating a dish that sings with coastal flavors.
• Effortless Elegant Entertaining: Designed for stress-free preparation, the make-ahead nature allows hosts to spend more time with guests while serving a restaurant-quality meal that impresses without complicated techniques.
• Texture Treasure Trove: The combination of soft pasta shells, crisp vegetables, and succulent lobster meat delivers a delightful mix of textures that dance playfully on your palate, making each bite an exciting culinary adventure.
• Flexible Flavor Canvas: With its adaptable chilling instructions and simple seasoning approach, this recipe welcomes personal tweaks and can easily transition from a casual lunch to an sophisticated summer dinner party centerpiece.

Everything You Need for Lobster and Shells Night

• Pasta Shells, Corn: Fresh corn kernels add sweetness and texture to the salad, while pasta shells create a perfect vessel for catching dressing.

• Lobster Meat: Fresh, sweet lobster provides the main protein and luxury to this summer dish.

• Scallions, Bell Pepper, Cherry Tomatoes: Fresh vegetables add crunch, color, and bright flavors to complement the rich lobster.

• Mayonnaise, Sour Cream: Creamy base that binds the salad and adds rich, tangy flavor.
• Lemon Juice: Bright acid that balances the rich seafood and creamy dressing.

• Fresh Dill: Delicate herb that adds a light, aromatic finish to the salad.
• Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance and balance all flavors.

• Olive Oil: Helps prevent pasta from sticking and adds subtle richness.

Cooking Lobster and Shells Like a Pro

Step 1: Prepare Pasta and Corn

Grab a large pot and bring water to a rolling boil. Sprinkle in some kosher salt and a splash of olive oil. Cook pasta until it reaches that perfect al dente texture (about 8-10 minutes). During the last 2 minutes, toss in fresh corn kernels. Drain everything together in a colander and transfer to a spacious mixing bowl.

Step 2: Build Your Seafood Base

• Chopped scallions
• Diced bell pepper
• Halved cherry tomatoes
• Tender lobster meat

Gently toss everything together, allowing the mixture to cool slightly and let flavors mingle.

Step 3: Whip Up Creamy Dressing

• Creamy mayonnaise
• Tangy sour cream
• Fresh lemon juice
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper

Whisk until the dressing becomes a harmonious blend.

Step 4: Marry Flavors Together

Pour the dressing over your pasta mixture. Stir carefully to ensure every morsel gets coated. Sprinkle in fresh dill and additional seasonings, folding gently to distribute evenly.

Step 5: Chill and Serve

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for up to 6 hours. Before serving, do a quick taste test and adjust seasonings if needed. Enjoy chilled or at room temperature for a perfect summer meal that captures coastal freshness.

Tips to Make Lobster and Shells Rich and Creamy

• Maximize Lobster Freshness: Select live lobsters or freshly cooked meat from a reputable seafood market to guarantee the most vibrant, sweet flavor in your dish.
• Master Perfect Pasta Texture: Remove shells from boiling water just before they reach full tenderness, ensuring a delightful al dente bite that won't turn soggy when mixed with the creamy sauce.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Let the salad rest in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours, allowing the herbs, dressing, and seafood to blend and develop a more complex, harmonious taste.
• Balance Seasoning Carefully: Start with a light hand when adding salt and pepper, tasting and adjusting after chilling to prevent overwhelming the delicate lobster flavor.
• Preserve Vegetable Crunch: Dice bell peppers, corn, and tomatoes right before serving to maintain their crisp texture and fresh taste, providing a delightful contrast to the creamy pasta.

How to Store Lobster and Shells Without Losing Flavor

• Vacuum Sealing Method: Lock in freshness by using a vacuum sealer. Remove air completely from the container, preventing moisture and bacteria growth. This technique extends the dish's shelf life up to 5 days and maintains optimal flavor and texture.
• Freezing Method: Carefully portion the Lobster & Shells into freezer-safe containers. Place flat to maximize storage space and prevent crushing delicate ingredients. Seal tightly and freeze for up to 2 months, ensuring a delicious meal is always ready.
• Individual Portion Method: Divide the dish into single-serving containers before refrigerating. This strategy helps prevent repeated reheating, which can degrade seafood quality. Label each container with the date to track freshness and consume within 3 days for best taste.

Flavor Swaps for Ina Garten’s Lobster and Shells

• Coastal Crab Remix: Swap lobster with succulent crab meat for a budget-friendly alternative that maintains the ocean-fresh flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Seafood Fusion: Replace lobster with grilled shrimp and add kalamata olives, feta cheese, and oregano for a Greek-inspired version that packs Mediterranean zest.
• Vegetarian Summer Harvest: Transform the recipe by substituting lobster with grilled halloumi cheese and adding roasted zucchini, eggplant, and fresh basil for a colorful plant-based rendition.
• Spicy Cajun Seafood Spin: Incorporate andouille sausage with the lobster, sprinkle Cajun seasoning, and add some diced jalapeños to create a bold, Louisiana-style pasta salad with kick.

A Luxurious Ending to Lobster and Shells Delight

Coastal breezes whisper through Ina Garten’s lobster shell pasta salad, a Mediterranean-inspired masterpiece.

Summer gatherings find their culinary centerpiece with this luxurious dish.

Creamy textures blend seamlessly with fresh seafood and garden vegetables.

Subtle herb notes dance across each perfect bite, creating memories beyond mere meals.

Complex flavors tell stories of ocean and farmland in harmonious partnership.

Passionate cooks will discover pure joy in crafting this recipe – so grab those ingredients, share this remarkable dish with friends, spread deliciousness across social media, and let culinary magic unfold!

Ina Garten Lobster & Shells Recipe

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4.5 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s Lobster & Shells elevates comfort pasta with luxurious seafood and rich cream sauce. Creamy shells nestled with tender lobster meat create an indulgent Mediterranean-inspired dish perfect for special dinners you’ll savor to the last delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound cooked fresh lobster meat, medium-diced
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 4 ears of corn, kernels removed (about 3 cups)
• ½ pound small pasta shells (such as Ronzoni)

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 6 scallions, white and green parts, thinly sliced
• 1 yellow or orange bell pepper, seeded and small-diced
• ¾ cup minced fresh dill

Dressing and Seasoning:

• ¾ cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup sour cream
• ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ cup good olive oil

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Instructions

1. Boil a large pot of water, adding kosher salt and a splash of olive oil. Cook the pasta for 8-10 minutes until tender yet firm. During the final 2 minutes, introduce corn kernels to the boiling water. Drain both pasta and corn simultaneously using a colander, then transfer to a spacious mixing bowl.
2. Incorporate scallions, diced bell pepper, halved cherry tomatoes, and succulent lobster meat into the pasta-corn mixture. Gently toss ingredients to ensure even distribution, allowing the mixture to cool slightly.
3. Prepare the creamy dressing by whisking mayonnaise, sour cream, freshly squeezed lemon juice, kosher salt, and ground black pepper in a small mixing bowl until smooth and well-blended.
4. Drizzle the prepared dressing over the pasta salad, stirring thoroughly to coat each ingredient evenly. Delicately fold in chopped fresh dill, seasoning with an additional kosher salt and black pepper.
5. Cover the salad with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 6 hours to allow flavors to meld. Before serving, taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Serve either chilled or at room temperature for optimal enjoyment.

Notes

• Maximize Flavor Fusion by Chilling the Salad Slowly, allowing ingredients to blend and develop a deeper, more complex taste profile.
• Preserve Vegetable Crunch by Adding Fresh, Uncooked Corn, Bell Peppers, and Tomatoes that provide exciting texture contrast to the creamy lobster base.
• Balance Seasoning Carefully, Starting with Minimal Salt and Pepper, then Adjusting After Chilling to Prevent Overwhelming the Delicate Lobster Meat.
• Select Premium Lobster Meat as the Star Ingredient, Choosing Fresh-Cooked Options or High-Quality Frozen Alternatives for Optimal Taste and Tenderness.
• Cook Pasta to Perfect Al Dente Consistency, Ensuring a Firm Texture That Stands Up to the Rich, Creamy Dressing Without Becoming Soggy.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 371 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 327 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 13 g
• Cholesterol: 86 mg