Description
Creamy Stuffed Shells with Ground Beef emerge as a comforting Italian-American classic that promises pure dinner delight. Melted cheese, seasoned beef, and tender pasta shells combine to create a memorable meal you’ll savor with every delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Shells:
- 24 jumbo pasta shells
Meat and Cheese Filling:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
Herbs, Spices, and Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 375°F (190°C), ensuring it reaches the optimal temperature for baking.
- Boil a large pot of salted water and cook jumbo pasta shells until tender but firm. Drain and spread on a baking sheet to prevent sticking.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté finely chopped onions and minced garlic until onions become translucent and aromatic, approximately 5 minutes.
- Introduce ground beef to the skillet, seasoning with salt, black pepper, oregano, and optional red pepper flakes. Brown the meat thoroughly, breaking it into small pieces and draining excess fat.
- In a mixing bowl, blend ricotta cheese, half the mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, and chopped parsley. Incorporate the cooled beef into the cheese mixture, creating a rich filling.
- Coat the bottom of a baking dish with half the marinara sauce, ensuring even coverage to prevent pasta from sticking.
- Generously fill each pasta shell with the beef-cheese mixture, arranging them in a single layer within the sauce-lined dish.
- Distribute remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells, completely covering them. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until cheese turns golden and bubbly.
- Allow the dish to rest briefly after removing from the oven. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot, potentially accompanied by garlic bread to complement the rich flavors.
Notes
- Ensure pasta shells are cooked al dente to prevent mushiness when baking, which helps maintain a perfect texture.
- Drain ground beef thoroughly to reduce excess grease and prevent a soggy final dish, keeping the filling rich and concentrated.
- Consider using lean ground beef or turkey for a lighter version that still delivers incredible flavor and protein.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg