Description
Cheesy ground beef stuffed shells bring Italian comfort to weeknight dinners with incredible speed and flavor. Hearty pasta pockets packed with seasoned meat and melted cheese offer delicious satisfaction you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 1 large egg
Cheese:
- 1 cup (226 grams) ricotta cheese
- 1 cup (113 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta and Seasonings:
- 20 jumbo pasta shells
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) marinara sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Submerge the jumbo pasta shells in a generously salted boiling water bath, cooking until they reach a tender al dente consistency. Carefully drain and allow to cool completely on a flat surface.
- Transform ground beef into a savory base by browning it thoroughly in a sizzling skillet. Introduce aromatic garlic, robust Italian seasoning, and a balanced blend of salt and pepper, infusing the meat with deep flavors. Allow the mixture to cool momentarily.
- Craft a luxurious filling by folding the seasoned beef into a creamy mixture of ricotta, melted mozzarella, aged Parmesan, and a whisked egg. Blend meticulously until the ingredients harmonize into a uniform texture.
- Delicately nestle the rich beef and cheese combination into each cooled pasta shell, ensuring each pocket is generously filled without overflowing.
- Establish a flavorful foundation by spreading marinara sauce across the bottom of a spacious baking dish. Strategically position the stuffed shells in a single, elegant layer, then cascade the remaining marinara sauce over the arrangement.
- Crown the shells with a generous snowfall of remaining mozzarella, creating a tempting cheesy landscape.
- Encase the dish in protective foil and slide into a preheated oven set at 375°F. Bake for 20 minutes, then unveil and continue baking until the cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling masterpiece.
- Retrieve from the oven, punctuate with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, and serve immediately while the dish radiates warmth and aroma.
Notes
- Prep shells carefully to avoid tearing when stuffing, gently handling them to maintain their delicate structure.
- Consider draining ground beef thoroughly to prevent excess grease in the final dish, ensuring a cleaner, more appetizing texture.
- Experiment with alternative proteins like ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for lighter, dietary-specific versions of the recipe.
- Cool mixture slightly before stuffing to prevent egg from scrambling and maintain a smooth, creamy filling consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 546
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg