Description
Enjoy these delicious Beef Stuffed Shells, filled with a savory blend of ground beef, ricotta, and mozzarella, all baked in marinara sauce and topped with melted cheese. Perfect for family dinners, this comforting dish is sure to satisfy everyone at the table!
Ingredients
Scale
- 20 jumbo pasta shells
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Start by boiling a large pot of salted water. Once it reaches a rolling boil, carefully add the jumbo pasta shells.
- Cook the shells according to the package instructions, usually about 9-11 minutes, until they are al dente. You want them firm enough to hold the filling without breaking.
- Once cooked, drain the shells in a colander and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set them aside to cool.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Use a wooden spoon to break it apart as it cooks.
- Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, or until the onion is translucent and the beef is browned. Make sure to stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Once the beef is cooked through, drain any excess fat from the skillet. This will help keep the filling from being greasy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked beef mixture with ricotta cheese, half of the shredded mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and the egg. Stir until everything is well combined.
- Season the mixture with dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper to taste. Mix well to ensure the spices are evenly distributed throughout the filling.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread about 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly across the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Take a cooled pasta shell and carefully spoon a generous amount of the beef filling into each shell.
- Place the filled shells in the baking dish, open side up, in a single layer. If you have leftover filling, you can spoon it over the shells for extra flavor.
- Once all the shells are filled and arranged in the dish, pour the remaining marinara sauce over the top.
- Sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the sauce.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes.
- After 25 minutes, carefully remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Once done, remove the dish from the oven and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes.
- Using a large spoon or spatula, carefully serve the stuffed shells onto plates.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and added freshness.
- Serve with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms to the filling for extra nutrition.
- Leftover stuffed shells can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for later use.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes