Description
This stuffed shells recipe combines tender pasta shells with a rich filling of seasoned ground beef, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella cheese, all baked in a flavorful marinara sauce. It's a hearty and satisfying meal that's easy to prepare and perfect for serving at family dinners or special occasions. Customize the dish with your favorite cheeses or even add spinach for a nutritious twist.
Ingredients
- Jumbo pasta shells
- Ground beef
- Ricotta cheese
- Mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- Parmesan cheese (grated)
- Egg
- Garlic (minced)
- Onion (diced)
- Marinara sauce
- Italian seasoning
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook jumbo pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, brown ground beef with onion and garlic, then drain excess fat. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- In a large bowl, mix ricotta, half the mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, and cooked beef mixture.
- Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.
- Stuff each shell with the meat and cheese mixture, placing them in the baking dish.
- Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the shells and top with the rest of the mozzarella.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- For added flavor, you can mix spinach into the ricotta filling.
- Leftovers reheat well, making this a great meal prep option.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 stuffed shells
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 950mg