Description
This quick and easy recipe for stuffed pasta shells is perfect for busy weeknights. Jumbo pasta shells are filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, ricotta, and mozzarella, then baked in a rich marinara sauce. A comforting, crowd-pleasing meal that’s ready in no time!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 20 jumbo pasta shells
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the jumbo shells in salted water until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside to cool.
- Prepare the Filling: In a skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Add garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Mix the Filling: In a large bowl, combine cooked ground beef, ricotta cheese, ½ cup mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and egg. Mix until well combined.
- Stuff the Shells: Spoon the beef and cheese mixture into the cooled pasta shells.
- Assemble the Dish: Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange the stuffed shells in a single layer on top. Spoon the remaining marinara sauce over the shells.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of mozzarella cheese over the shells.
- Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve hot.
Notes
- Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- To save time, prepare the filling and stuff the shells in advance, then bake when ready to serve.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 stuffed shells
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 100mg