Stuffed Pasta Shells
Indulge in tender pasta shells filled with seasoned ground beef and creamy ricotta, topped with rich marinara and gooey cheese.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Beef
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 large pasta shells
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente; drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned, ensuring you stir occasionally for even cooking. Drain any excess fat.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked beef, ricotta cheese, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients meld into a creamy filling.
- Stuff each pasta shell generously with the beef and ricotta mixture.
- Spread half of the marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. Arrange the stuffed shells on top, then cover with the remaining marinara sauce. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh basil if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
Try using ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option. You can also substitute ricotta with cottage cheese or vegan alternatives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Find it online: https://cookingtrack.com/stuffed-pasta-shells/