Savory Ground Beef Stuffed Shells
A hearty and flavorful dish featuring creamy pasta shells stuffed with seasoned ground beef and melty cheese, topped with rich tomato sauce.
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 12 large shells 12 large pasta shells For stuffing
- 1 pound 1 pound ground beef Use lean ground beef for a healthier option
- 2 cups 2 cups marinara sauce Plus additional for layering
- 1 cup 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese For topping
- 1 cup 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese For topping
- 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning For flavoring
- to taste Salt and pepper
- Fresh basil Fresh basil (for garnish) Optional garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add a generous pinch of salt and cook the large pasta shells according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the shells and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks. Drain excess fat, then stir in 1 cup of marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until well combined.
Assembly
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large 9x13 baking dish, spread 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom. Carefully fill each pasta shell with the ground beef mixture, then place the stuffed shells in the dish seam side up.
- Top the stuffed shells with the remaining marinara sauce and sprinkle evenly with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
Baking
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Remove from the oven, let cool for a few minutes, garnish with fresh basil, and serve warm.
Notes
Consider serving with a light Caesar salad or garlic bread. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 2 months.