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Beef Stuffed Shells

Delicious jumbo pasta shells filled with a savory three-cheese and seasoned beef mixture, topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Sauce
  • 12 ounces jumbo pasta shells
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce, divided 1 cup for the base, remaining for topping
The Filling
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese Use full-fat for creaminess
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Topping
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese Freshly shredded works best

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta shells al dente according to package directions.
  3. Drain the shells and spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet to cool.
Cook the Beef Filling
  1. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium-high heat until the beef is no longer pink and the onion is translucent, about 8-10 minutes.
  2. Drain any excess grease from the beef mixture and let it cool slightly.
Make the Cheese and Beef Filling
  1. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, Parmesan, beaten egg, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  2. Fold in the cooked beef mixture and adjust seasoning as needed.
Assemble the Dish
  1. Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. Stuff each pasta shell with about 2-3 tablespoons of the filling and arrange them in the baking dish.
  3. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the shells and top with shredded mozzarella.
Bake to Perfection
  1. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
  2. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is lightly golden.
  3. Let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Undercook the pasta slightly so they won't fall apart when stuffed. Use freshly shredded cheese for the best melting results.