Stuffed Shells with Ground Beef
There's something special about stuffed pasta dishes. They offer the perfect balance of textures and flavors—chewy pasta, creamy cheese, and a flavorful beef filling, all topped with a generous layer of sauce and melted cheese. Plus, they’re easy to prepare in advance, making them a fantastic choice for meal planning.
Equipment
- Large pot
- Large skillet
- Mixing Bowls
- Baking dish (9x13-inch)
- Slotted spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Piping bag or spoon
- Aluminum Foil
Ingredients
For the Stuffed Shells:
- 20-25 jumbo pasta shells
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese plus extra for topping
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Optional Side Dishes:
For the Salad:
- 4 cups mixed greens or romaine lettuce
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/4 cup red onion thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup cucumber sliced
- 1/4 cup shredded carrots
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta or Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette dressing
For the Garlic Bread:
- 1 baguette or Italian bread sliced
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the jumbo pasta shells and cook until al dente, according to package instructions.
- Drain and rinse the pasta with cool water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Meat Filling
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and garlic, sautéing until softened and fragrant.
- Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook until browned.
- Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Drain excess grease from the meat mixture and let it cool slightly.
Step 3: Make the Cheese Mixture
- In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, and egg.
- Add the cooled ground beef mixture and mix until well combined.
Step 4: Assemble the Stuffed Shells
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Fill each cooked pasta shell with the meat and cheese mixture using a spoon or piping bag.
- Arrange the filled shells in the baking dish.
- Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the shells and sprinkle with extra mozzarella cheese.
Step 5: Bake the Dish
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden.
- Let the stuffed shells rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutritional Value (Per Serving)
- Calories: ~450-500 kcal
- Protein: ~30g
- Carbohydrates: ~40g
- Fat: ~20g
- Saturated Fat: ~9g
- Fiber: ~3g
- Sugar: ~6g
- Sodium: ~700mg
The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. It should not be used as a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.