Pasta Shells (Conchiglie)

Pasta Shells are an iconic seashell-shaped pasta with a concave body ideal for scooping up thicker sauces and small bits of vegetables. Shells, known in Italy as Conchiglie, are a versatile pasta that shines in everything from cheesy baked pasta dishes with ricotta cheese and marinara sauce to simple sauces of Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

DeLallo Pasta comes from the town where pasta was born, a region near Naples, at the beginning of the Amalfi Coast. The art of making our pasta begins with the very best quality wheat. We carefully choose wheat with the highest gluten index, gluten content and protein content. All of these characteristics affect how the pasta cooks, as well as its taste and texture. The durum wheat is milled into coarse ground semolina flour and then carefully kneaded with cold, fresh, mineral-rich mountain spring water. We dry our pasta slowly at low temperatures to reproduce the traditional way of making pasta. This method respects the ingredients, preserving the pasta’s color, texture and aroma.

• Made in Italy with an exclusive blend of the highest quality durum wheat.
• Extruded with traditional bronze dies for a rough surface for capturing sauces.
• Always cooks up al dente.
• The famous fun-loving seashell-shaped pasta.

Kitchen and Usage Tips:

While larger seashells are great for stuffed shells recipes, these smaller Pasta Shells are more versatile. Their concave bodies are the perfect scoops for heartier meat sauces, cream sauces, velvety cheese sauces, rich marinara sauces and chunky primavera-style vegetable sauces. Enjoy it simply with butter- or oil-based sauces, too. We love Pasta Shells baked up in a grown-up macaroni and cheese with ricotta cheese, melty Mozzarella and Parmesan.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What Are Pasta Shells? Pasta Shells are a short cut of pasta in the shape of seashells. Known as the Italian Conchiglie, or “conch” shells, their concave shape makes them a great pasta for scooping sauces and bits of ingredients. Not to be confused with the larger Jumbo Pasta Shells that are made for stuffing.

Are Pasta Shells The Same As Conchiglie? Yes, Pasta Shells shaped like “conch” shells are known as Conchiglie in Italian. 

How Do You Pronounce Conchiglie? Conchiglie is pronounced con-KEEL-yay.

What Is The Difference Between Pasta Shells And Jumbo Pasta Shells? Jumbo Pasta Shells are the extra-large version of the seashell-shaped pasta. These generous, concave pasta shells are made for stuffing with savory fillings like ricotta cheese and fresh parsley, and then baking up with marinara sauce. 

What Is The Difference Between Pasta Shells And Orecchiette? While both are short cuts of pasta, Pasta Shells are seashell-shaped and Orecchiette are concave disks named for their “little ear” shape.

Learn more about pasta shapes.

What Are Pasta Shells (Conchiglie) Used For? Pasta Shells are an iconic pasta shape that can be used in everything from soups to cheesy baked pasta to hearty meat sauces. Their shape makes them the perfect scoops for bits of ingredients and sauces. Pasta Shells shine in cheesy baked pasta dishes like the ultimate comfort food, macaroni and cheese.

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