Description
These Sloppy Joe Stuffed Shells combine the saucy, sweet, and tangy goodness of a classic Sloppy Joe with creamy cheese-filled pasta shells. Perfect for a quick family dinner or a cozy gathering, this dish takes about 30 minutes of prep and 30 minutes of baking, making it a hearty and satisfying meal for any night of the week.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Sloppy Joe Filling:
- 1 lb ground beef (or turkey)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp mustard
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- Salt, pepper, and smoked paprika, to taste
For the Shells & Cheese Mixture:
- 12 jumbo pasta shells
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup ricotta or cream cheese (optional)
Instructions
-
Cook the Pasta Shells:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook shells 1-2 minutes less than package instructions (they’ll finish cooking in the oven).
- Drain and set aside to cool.
-
Make the Sloppy Joe Filling:
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned.
- Add onions, bell peppers, and garlic, cooking until softened.
- Stir in tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, brown sugar, and seasonings.
- Simmer for 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
-
Fill & Assemble the Shells:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix shredded cheddar and mozzarella into the Sloppy Joe filling.
- Stuff each cooked shell with a generous scoop of the mixture.
- Arrange shells in a greased baking dish and top with extra shredded cheese.
-
Bake the Shells:
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for 10 more minutes, until cheese is bubbly.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Undercook the pasta slightly to prevent mushy shells.
- Let the filling cool before stuffing for easier handling.
- Broil for the last 2 minutes for a golden, bubbly cheese topping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed shell
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 50mg