Homely Charm: Ina Garten’s Lobster & Shells Recipe Delight

Seafood lovers rejoice as this Ina Garten lobster & shells recipe brings coastal elegance right to your dinner table.

Succulent lobster meat mingles with perfectly cooked pasta shells, creating a luxurious dining experience.

The dish sparkles with fresh ingredients and sophisticated flavors that hint at gourmet restaurant quality.

Garten’s culinary expertise shines through every carefully balanced bite.

Her approach simplifies what could be a complicated recipe into something delightfully approachable.

Rich, creamy, and utterly delectable, this recipe promises to impress even the most discerning palates.

You’ll want to savor every delicious forkful of this remarkable seafood creation.

Cooking Steps for Ina Garten Lobster & Shells

Coastal Summer Pasta Delight

• Pasta Preparation

Boil a large pot of water, creating a flavorful base for the pasta and sweet summer corn. Cook pasta until perfectly tender, inviting corn to join the last few moments of cooking. Drain and transfer to a spacious mixing bowl, letting the ingredients mingle and cool.

• Seafood Symphony

Gently fold succulent lobster pieces into the pasta, introducing crisp scallions, vibrant bell peppers, and juicy cherry tomatoes. Each ingredient tells a story of summer’s bountiful harvest, creating a colorful medley that promises deliciousness.

• Creamy Dressing Magic

Whisk together a luxurious blend of creamy mayonnaise, tangy sour cream, and bright lemon juice. This silky dressing will transform the simple ingredients into a memorable culinary experience, binding flavors with elegant simplicity.

• Final Flourish

Pour the dressing over the pasta, coating every morsel with rich, zesty goodness. Sprinkle fresh dill throughout, adding an herbal whisper that elevates the entire dish. Allow flavors to dance and meld together.

• Serving Suggestion

Refrigerate the pasta salad, letting the flavors intensify and develop. Serve chilled or at room temperature, presenting a delightful dish that captures the essence of a perfect summer gathering.

Elevate Ina Garten Lobster & Shells with Tips

• Replace lobster with crab, shrimp, or rotisserie chicken for a budget-friendly twist on the classic recipe.
• Experiment with fresh basil, chives, or parsley instead of dill to create unique flavor profiles that complement the seafood.
• Sprinkle toasted pine nuts, sliced almonds, or crispy bacon bits for added texture and depth of flavor.
• Prepare the salad one day in advance to let flavors meld together, ensuring even more delicious results when serving.

Serve Ina Garten Lobster & Shells Like a Pro

• Pair with Crisp Summer Sides: Complement the lobster pasta with a light cucumber salad or chilled gazpacho for a refreshing contrast.
• Hosting a Seafood Gathering: Create an elegant dinner party platter by arranging the lobster shells around the pasta dish for a stunning presentation that impresses guests.
• Wine and Dine Perfectly: Select a crisp, chilled white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to enhance the delicate seafood flavors and bright summer notes of the dish.
• Elevate as Elegant Lunch: Serve alongside a simple mixed green salad and crusty artisan bread to transform this recipe into a sophisticated midday meal that feels special and indulgent.

Store Ina Garten Lobster & Shells the Right Way

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store the lobster and shells pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for optimal freshness, keeping it cool for up to 2 days.
• Prevent Sogginess: Keep the dressing separate from the salad until just before serving to maintain the crisp texture of vegetables and prevent pasta from becoming mushy.
• Revive Leftovers: Gently stir the chilled salad and let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to help blend flavors and soften the pasta slightly.
• Freeze with Caution: Avoid freezing this dish, as mayonnaise-based dressings and delicate seafood can separate and lose their creamy texture when thawed.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 670 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredient List for Ina Garten Lobster & Shells

• Pasta Shells: Curvy pasta perfect for catching delightful dressing and ingredients, choose high-quality Italian-style shells.
• Corn: Sweet summer vegetable adds freshness and vibrant color, select bright yellow and plump kernels at peak ripeness.

• Lobster Meat: Succulent seafood centerpiece, ensure fresh and properly cooked with sweet delicate flavor.
• Scallions: Mild onion-like herb bringing sharp brightness, choose crisp green stalks with no wilting.
• Bell Pepper: Crunchy vegetable adding color and texture, select firm peppers with vibrant red or yellow hue.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Juicy burst of sweetness, pick ripe and firm tomatoes with deep saturated color.

• Mayonnaise: Rich binding agent creating smooth texture, select high-quality brand with clean ingredients.
• Sour Cream: Tangy component adding depth, choose full-fat version for richest flavor.
• Fresh Dill: Delicate herb providing aromatic finish, select bright green fronds with no yellowing.
• Lemon Juice: Bright acidic element balancing richness, use freshly squeezed for maximum zest.
• Kosher Salt: Essential seasoning enhancing overall flavor profile.
• Black Pepper: Warm spice adding subtle heat and complexity.

Tools to Make Ina Garten Lobster & Shells Shine

• Large pot: Essential for boiling pasta and corn together.
• Colander: Needed to drain pasta and corn quickly.
• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining pasta, corn, and salad ingredients.
• Small bowl: Used for whisking together dressing ingredients.
• Whisk: Helps blend dressing smoothly and evenly.
• Cutting board: For chopping scallions and preparing vegetables.
• Sharp knife: To chop ingredients precisely.
• Measuring spoons: Ensures accurate salt and pepper measurements.

Elegant Lobster & Shells Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Ina Garten’s lobster & shells recipe combines succulent seafood with perfectly cooked pasta in a creamy, luxurious sauce. Home cooks can easily recreate this elegant dish with fresh ingredients and simple techniques.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound (454 g) cooked fresh lobster meat, medium-diced
• 1 pint (473 ml) cherry tomatoes, halved
• 4 ears of corn, kernels removed (about 3 cups or 360 ml)
• ½ pound (227 g) small pasta shells (such as Ronzoni)
• ¼ cup (60 ml) good olive oil
• ¾ cup (177 ml) mayonnaise
• ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
• ¼ cup (60 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
• ¾ cup (12 g) minced fresh dill
• 6 scallions, white and green parts, thinly sliced
• 1 yellow or orange bell pepper, seeded and small-diced
• 1 tbsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Heat a generously sized pot of water, seasoning with kosher salt and a hint of olive oil. Cook pasta until al dente, introducing corn kernels during the final cooking moments. Drain simultaneously and transfer to a spacious mixing vessel.
2. Ingredient Integration: Combine lobster meat, scallions, bell pepper, and cherry tomatoes with the pasta-corn blend. Toss gently to ensure harmonious distribution, allowing the mixture to cool slightly and meld flavors.
3. Dressing Creation: Whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, kosher salt, and ground black pepper in a separate bowl until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
4. Final Assembly: Pour the creamy dressing over the pasta mixture, stirring methodically to coat each component thoroughly. Gently incorporate fresh dill, adjusting seasoning with additional salt and pepper to elevate the flavor profile.
5. Flavor Development: Seal the salad with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 6 hours, allowing ingredients to marinate and intensify. Prior to serving, perform a final taste check and adjust seasonings as needed. Present chilled or at ambient temperature for optimal gustatory experience.

Notes

• Boost Pasta Texture: Add olive oil to boiling water to prevent pasta from sticking and enhance overall flavor profile.
• Corn Cooking Hack: Introduce corn kernels during final 2 minutes of pasta cooking to maintain perfect crispness and avoid overcooking.
• Dressing Balance Trick: Whisk mayonnaise and sour cream thoroughly to create a smooth, creamy consistency that evenly coats every ingredient.
• Flavor Development Secret: Refrigerate salad for up to 6 hours before serving, allowing ingredients to marry and intensify taste sensations.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 670
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 45 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 36 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 46 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg