Beef Stuffed Shells
Beef Stuffed shells are the result of the fusion of Italian and American culinary classics with a creamy ricotta filling and savory ground beef then baked in a tomato sauce.
Prep Time30 minutes mins
Cook Time30 minutes mins
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American, Italian
Servings: 5
Calories: 627kcal
Meat filling:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
Ricotta Mixture
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Pasta
- 20-25 jumbo pasta shells usually about half a box
For the Sauce
- 2 cups marinara sauce store-bought or homemade
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for a bit of heat
Cook the Past
Bring a large pot of water with salt to a boil. Add the jumbo pasta shells and cook according to the package directions, usually about 9-11 minutes, until al dente. Drain the cooked shells and lay them on a sheet of parchment paper or a clean kitchen towel to cool and prevent them from sticking together.
Prepare the Filling
In a large skillet, heat a little olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks (about 6-7 minutes).
Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking for another 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, egg, dried basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir well until everything is evenly mixed.
Bake
Cover the baking pan with aluminum foil (to prevent the cheese from browning too quickly) and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional baking time of 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the sauce is hot.
- Meat Sauce: I used ground beef for this recipe, but I have made it with Italian sausage, ground turkey, or ground chicken.
- Stuffed Shell Filling: I have added bite-size cuts of green beans and bell peppers sautéed with the onions and made a veggie version also which is a great way to use leftover vegetables.
Serving: 5g | Calories: 627kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 158mg | Sodium: 972mg | Potassium: 767mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1074IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 421mg | Iron: 4mg