Description
Jumbo pasta shells filled with a creamy ricotta and beef mixture, baked in marinara sauce, and topped with gooey mozzarella. A classic Italian-American comfort food perfect for family dinners!
Ingredients
Pasta Shells
- 20 jumbo pasta shells (about half a 12 oz box)
Beef Filling
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 2 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Garnish
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and make for easy cleanup.
- Cook Pasta Shells: Boil the jumbo pasta shells in salted water until they are al dente—firm to the bite since they will cook further in the oven. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and cook until softened, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, approximately 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until the beef is browned and cooked through, breaking it up as it cooks. Remove the skillet from heat and allow the beef mixture to cool slightly.
- Mix Filling: In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, the egg, and the slightly cooled beef mixture. Stir well to create a creamy and cohesive filling.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of your greased baking dish.
- Stuff the Shells: Spoon about 2 to 3 tablespoons of the ricotta and beef filling into each pasta shell. Place each stuffed shell carefully in the baking dish over the marinara.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Pour the remaining 1 cup of marinara sauce over the stuffed shells. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese for a bubbly, cheesy topping.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, garnish the stuffed shells with fresh basil or parsley for a pop of color and fresh flavor. Serve warm and enjoy this comforting Italian-American classic!
Notes
- You can assemble the stuffed shells ahead of time and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before baking, making it a great make-ahead meal.
- These stuffed shells are freezer-friendly; prepare and stuff the shells, then cover tightly and freeze before baking. When ready to bake from frozen, add extra baking time to ensure they are heated through.
- For a different twist, swap ground beef with Italian sausage or ground turkey to vary the flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Pasta, Comfort Food
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
