Description
Cheesy Beef Stuffed Shells are a delightful combination of tender pasta shells filled with a savory beef and cheese mixture, all enveloped in a rich marinara sauce. The creamy, melty cheese contrasts beautifully with the hearty beef, creating a comforting dish that warms the soul.
Ingredients
Scale
- Pasta: 20 jumbo pasta shells
- Beef Filling:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cheese Mixture:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- Marinara Sauce: 2 cups store-bought or homemade marinara sauce
- Garnish: Fresh basil leaves for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with the chopped onion and minced garlic until the beef is fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and egg. Mix until well combined.
- Fold the cooked beef mixture into the cheese mixture until evenly distributed.
- Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Stuff each cooked pasta shell with the beef and cheese mixture and place them in the baking dish.
- Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells, ensuring they are well covered.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Notes
- Make-ahead: You can prepare the stuffed shells a day in advance and refrigerate them before baking.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Substitutions: Ground turkey or chicken can be used instead of beef for a lighter option. For a vegetarian version, replace the beef with sautéed mushrooms or spinach.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed shell
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4 grams
- Sodium: 600 milligrams
- Fat: 18 grams
- Saturated Fat: 8 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 30 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Protein: 20 grams
- Cholesterol: 60 milligrams
Keywords: Cheesy Beef Stuffed Shells, Italian pasta dish, stuffed pasta, beef and cheese, comfort food, baked pasta, easy dinner recipe, family meal, homemade marinara, cheesy pasta shells, hearty meal, Italian cuisine