Description
Succulent beef-stuffed shells bring Italian comfort straight to dinner tables with rich ricotta and hearty meat. Cheese-draped pasta pockets promise a delightful meal that will satisfy cravings and warm hearts in just one delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 12 jumbo pasta shells
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
Sauce and Cheese Topping:
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Seasonings and Binding:
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 375F (190C) and prepare large pasta shells according to package directions, ensuring they are cooked al dente. Carefully drain and set aside to cool.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat, breaking it into small crumbles. Drain off excess fat and stir in marinara sauce until meat is evenly coated. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Create the ricotta filling by mixing ricotta cheese with egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until smooth and well-combined.
- Generously stuff each cooled pasta shell with the ricotta mixture, placing them seam-side up in a prepared baking dish.
- Distribute the seasoned beef mixture evenly over the stuffed shells, ensuring complete coverage.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese across the top of the beef-covered shells.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes to allow flavors to meld together.
- Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until cheese is fully melted, golden, and bubbling around the edges.
- Allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes before serving to help set the filling and make serving easier.
Notes
- Ensure pasta shells are cooked al dente to prevent them from becoming mushy during baking.
- Pat the ground beef dry before browning to achieve a better sear and develop deeper flavor.
- Use low-moisture mozzarella to prevent excess liquid in the final dish.
- For a lighter version, substitute ground beef with lean ground turkey or plant-based meat alternative.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 490 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg