Stuffed Shells With Ground Beef Recipe

Stuffed Shells with Ground Beef offers a blend of soft pasta, ground beef, creamy ricotta, and thick tomato sauce. Bake until it gets bubbly and golden. This dish is a regular weeknight meal and a favorite for family ceremonies. You can make it ahead and freeze it, which works great for anyone who likes to have easy meals on hand.

What Are Stuffed Shells With Ground Beef?

The pasta used in stuffed shells (conchiglioni) is filled with cheese, meat, and herbs. This version relies on ground beef, fresh ricotta cheese, and Italian seasoning, then covers them with sauce and melted cheese. The dish mixes lasagna-type ingredients but arranges them beautifully in a different way.

The first time I made Stuffed Shells With Ground Beef

My original reason for making stuffed shells with ground beef was the desire to have something like lasagna, but with its charm. By accident, I found out about this idea and was amazed by how quickly it took to put together and how beautifully it looked after it was baked. My family ate it up, and I started bringing it to every holiday, potluck, and family dinner.

Ingredients

20–25 jumbo pasta shells

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 lb ground beef

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

1 ½ cups ricotta cheese

1 egg

1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)

¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

3 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)

Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish

Instructions

1. Parboil the Shells.

Heat a large pot of water with salt added until it boils. Put the jumbo pasta shells in the water and cook according to what the package advises until they are tender but still firm. Cool the process by pouring out the water and rinsing in cold water. Set aside.

2. Make the Beef Filling.

Put olive oil in a large skillet, then place it over medium heat. Cook the chopped onion in the pan for 2–3 minutes so it softens. Quickly cook the garlic for about another half minute.

Brown and fully cook the ground beef in the skillet while using a spoon to scrape it apart. Put salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning on top of the meat. Let the excess fat fly out and let the porridge stand for a short period to cool.

3. Mix the Filling.

Put ricotta cheese, the egg, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, and the cooked ground beef in a large mixing bowl. Combine the ingredients until they are all mixed in one way.

4. Put together the plastic shells.

Set your oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) before you start making the cake. Arrange the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish with about 1 cup of marinara sauce.

Put a generous serving of beef and ricotta in each shell after the pasta is cooked. Put the shells full of filling on top of the sauce in the baking dish.

Cover the shells with the remaining marinara sauce, ensuring that it is spread over everything evenly. Top with the row ½ cup of mozzarella cheese.

5. Bake

Place foil on top of the dish and put it in the oven for 25 minutes. Take away the foil and bake again for 10–15 minutes until the cheese starts to bubble and turn just a bit golden.

6. Decorate and Put the Dish on the Table

Wait about 5 minutes after cooking the casserole before serving. Add a good amount of chopped parsley or basil for a bright finish.

Ideas for Additional and Different Recipes

1. Mix some spinach into the cheese to make the dish healthier.

2. For a flavor difference, choose ground turkey or sausage.

3. Top the dish with red pepper flakes to add a bit of spice.

4. Try placing a béchamel sauce under the marinara sauce to add a creamy flavor.

Steps for How to Enjoy Happy Stuffed Shells

1. Always remember to cook the pasta shells gently, because they will get hotter in the oven.

2. Either use a piping bag or a spoon to make it easier and cleaner to fill the shells with the mixture.

3. To stop the top layer from drying out, put foil on top of the dish.

4. It is possible to put the dish together in advance and chill it in the fridge until necessary.

Here’s Why This Recipe is Great

1. Italian taste with beef and creamy cheese

2. Works well for preparing ahead and storing in the freezer

3. Fast Food is often enjoyed by most people for its comforting nature.

4. Can be customized by adding your preferred herbs and types of cheese

Nutrition Label (Approximate for 1 serving)

Each serving has 3 stuffed shells.

Calories: ~420

Protein: ~25g

Carbohydrates: ~30g

Fat: ~22g

Levels of animal products and healthiness may differ based on which sauce and cheese are included.

Stuffed Shells with Ground Beef are ideal for a quick meal at home, celebrations, or events shared with others. Easy to make and very tasty, with tender pasta, savory beef, and cheese, this casserole packs in the flavor. You will find this hearty classic comforting for hungry families as well as when you want to meal prep ahead of the week.

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