Savory Sloppy Joe Stuffed Shells Recipe: Cozy Dinner Magic

My favorite childhood comfort food gets a delightful pasta twist with these sloppy joe stuffed shells.

Melted cheese and hearty meat create an irresistible combination that screams pure happiness.

Jumbo pasta shells become magical vessels holding savory ground beef and tangy sauce.

Weeknight dinners just leveled up with this crowd-pleasing recipe that feels both familiar and exciting.

Minimal prep work means you can have a delicious meal on the table in under an hour.

Simple ingredients merge into a dish guaranteed to make everyone at the table smile.

Prepare to fall in love with this ultimate comfort food mashup that brings smiles and satisfaction to every bite.

Stuffed Shells with Sloppy Joe Filling Assembly Guide

Step 1: Boil Pasta Shells

Fill a large pot with water and add a pinch of salt.

Bring the water to a rolling boil.

Gently drop the pasta shells into the water and cook them for a shorter time than the package suggests.

This ensures they won’t become too soft when baked later.

Once cooked, drain the shells and let them cool down completely.

Step 2: Create Sloppy Joe Mixture

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat.

Toss in the ground beef and break it apart while cooking until it turns a rich brown color.

• Diced onions
• Chopped bell peppers
• Minced garlic

Stir and cook until the vegetables become tender.

• Tomato sauce
• Ketchup
• Worcestershire sauce
• Mustard
• Brown sugar
• Seasonings

Let the mixture simmer and thicken for several minutes.

Remove from heat and allow it to cool slightly.

Step 3: Prepare Baking Dish

Turn the oven to 375°F.

• Shredded cheddar
• Mozzarella

Carefully stuff each pasta shell with the cheesy meat mixture.

Place the stuffed shells in a greased baking dish.

Sprinkle additional cheese on top.

Step 4: Bake and Serve

Cover the baking dish with foil and slide it into the oven.

Bake for 20 minutes.

Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 minutes until the cheese becomes golden and bubbly.

Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving hot.

Stuffed Shells Cooking Tips for Sloppy Joe Filling

• Undercook shells slightly to prevent mushiness, ensuring they'll finish cooking in the oven and maintain a perfect al dente texture.
• Drain excess fat after browning beef to keep the filling rich but not greasy, preventing a soggy final dish.
• Mix some cheese into the filling and sprinkle extra on top for maximum gooey goodness and a golden, crispy cheese crust.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter or vegetarian version that still delivers bold flavor.
• Prepare the shells in advance and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve, making it perfect for busy weeknight meals or meal prep.

Sloppy Joe Stuffed Shells Storage Tips

• Store leftover Sloppy Joe Stuffed Shells in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap individual portions or the entire dish tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Label the container with the date.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bake at 350°F (175°C) covered with foil for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Uncover and bake an additional 5 minutes to crisp the cheese.
• Place a single serving on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals until warmed completely, stirring between intervals to ensure even heating.

What Matches With Sloppy Joe Shells

• Pair Boldly with Beverage Brilliance: Choose a crisp, cold beer like an amber ale to cut through the rich, meaty shells and complement the tangy sauce.
• Craft a Hearty Side Companion: Serve alongside a light, zesty coleslaw with apple cider vinegar dressing to balance the heaviness of the cheesy, saucy shells and provide a fresh crunch.
• Create Flavor-Boosting Garnish: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or green onions on top to add brightness, herbal notes, and a pop of color that elevates the entire dish.
• Select Complementary Wine Match: Opt for a medium-bodied red wine like Zinfandel, which stands up to the robust meat flavor and ties together the sweet and savory elements of the Sloppy Joe stuffed shells.

Sloppy Joe Stuffed Shells Comforting Spins

• Vegetarian Joe Shells: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils, maintaining the same robust flavor profile while creating a meat-free option.
• Gluten-Free Comfort Shells: Use gluten-free pasta shells and ensure all sauce ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Low-Carb Shell Alternative: Swap pasta shells with roasted bell pepper halves or zucchini boats, creating a lighter version of the classic dish.
• Spicy Southwest Shells: Add diced jalapeños, swap brown sugar for chipotle sauce, and mix in corn kernels to create a zesty southwestern-inspired variation with extra kick.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of ground meat?

You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat alternatives. Each option will slightly change the flavor profile but work well with the recipe.

• How spicy is this dish?

The recipe has a mild flavor profile. If you want more heat, add red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the Sloppy Joe mixture for extra kick.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Absolutely! Kids typically love Sloppy Joe flavors and the cheesy pasta shells. The sweet and tangy sauce with melted cheese makes it very appealing to children.

• Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the stuffed shells a day in advance and refrigerate. Just cover tightly with plastic wrap and bake when ready. Add an extra 5-10 minutes to baking time if cooking directly from the refrigerator.

Stuffed Shells With Sloppy Joe Twist Everyone Loves

Conquer Dinnertime Simplicity: This Sloppy Joe Stuffed Shells recipe offers hassle-free meal preparation that transforms classic comfort food into an exciting dish.

Quick-and-Easy Cooking: Minimal prep work means you’ll spend just 30 minutes from start to finish, perfect for busy weeknight meals that satisfy hungry families.

Kid-Approved Deliciousness: Combining two beloved favorites – pasta shells and sloppy joe filling – creates an irresistible meal that children and adults will devour with enthusiasm.

Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Easily adaptable for potlucks, family gatherings, or casual dinner parties, this recipe provides a unique twist on traditional pasta dishes that guarantees smiles around the table.

What You’ll Need for Stuffed Shells with Sloppy Joe

• Jumbo Pasta Shells: Large shells perfect for stuffing, hold a lot of delicious filling, look elegant on the plate.

• Ground Beef, Ground Chuck: Hearty meat base for sloppy joe mixture, rich flavor and satisfying texture.

• Onions, Bell Peppers, Garlic: Add depth and sweetness to the meat mixture, provide additional nutrition and flavor complexity.

• Tomato Sauce, Ketchup, Worcestershire Sauce, Mustard, Brown Sugar: Create the classic tangy and sweet sloppy joe flavor profile, balance meat's richness.

• Cheddar Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese: Melty and creamy cheeses that add richness, create golden brown top and gooey texture.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing overall dish flavor, bring out natural tastes of ingredients.

Sloppy Joe Stuffed Shells Recipe

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4.6 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sloppy joe stuffed shells combine hearty ground beef and zesty tomato sauce nestled in tender pasta shells for a mouthwatering meal. Comfort food meets culinary creativity, promising a delightful dinner that brings family and friends together around the table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meats:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef

Other Protein:

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup ricotta or cream cheese (optional)

Primary Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon mustard
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• Smoked paprika, to taste

Pasta:

• 12 jumbo pasta shells

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Instructions

1. Prepare the pasta shells by submerging them in a generously salted boiling water bath, cooking them approximately 1-2 minutes less than package recommendations to ensure they maintain structural integrity for later baking.
2. Activate a large skillet over medium-high heat and thoroughly brown the ground beef, breaking it into fine crumbles during the cooking process.
3. Introduce diced onions, vibrant bell peppers, and minced garlic into the meat, sautéing until vegetables soften and release their aromatic essence.
4. Incorporate tomato sauce, tangy ketchup, robust Worcestershire sauce, zesty mustard, rich brown sugar, and selected seasonings into the meat mixture.
5. Allow the combined ingredients to simmer, reducing and thickening the sauce for approximately 5-7 minutes, which concentrates the flavor profile.
6. Remove the skillet from heat and permit the Sloppy Joe mixture to cool momentarily while preparing the baking environment.
7. Preheat the oven to 375°F, creating an ideal thermal landscape for the upcoming culinary creation.
8. Fold shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses directly into the slightly cooled meat mixture, ensuring uniform distribution.
9. Methodically fill each par-cooked pasta shell with a generous portion of the cheese-enhanced Sloppy Joe filling.
10. Arrange the stuffed shells strategically within a prepared baking dish, creating a visually appealing and compact configuration.
11. Garnish the assembled shells with an additional layer of shredded cheese for enhanced texture and flavor complexity.
12. Encase the baking dish with aluminum foil and transfer to the preheated oven, baking for 20 minutes to meld flavors.
13. Remove the foil covering and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes, allowing the cheese to transform into a golden, bubbling crust.
14. Extract from the oven and allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes, enabling the filling to stabilize and flavors to harmonize before serving.

Notes

• Perfectly cook pasta shells al dente by reducing boiling time, ensuring they maintain a slight bite and won’t become mushy during baking.
• Drain shells immediately and spread on a baking sheet to prevent sticking, helping maintain their shape for easy stuffing.
• Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease, creating a cleaner and healthier filling without compromising flavor.
• Customize the recipe for dietary needs by substituting ground beef with plant-based alternatives like crumbled tempeh or lentils for a vegetarian version.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 570
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg