Description
Hearty beef-stuffed shells with creamy ricotta filling bring Italian comfort to dinner tables. Pasta lovers savor rich meat and cheese nestled in perfectly baked pasta shells that satisfy hungry families with robust Mediterranean flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
- 2 cups (480 mL) marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1.5 cups (360 mL) ricotta cheese
- 1.5 cups (170 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 20–24 jumbo pasta shells
- 0.5 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped (or 1 tsp dried basil)
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tsp dried parsley)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Shell Preparation: Boil jumbo pasta shells in salted water until al dente, then rinse under cold water and drain completely.
- Meat Foundation: Sauté ground beef with onions and garlic, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook until beef is thoroughly browned and aromatic, then allow to cool slightly.
- Cheese Fusion: Blend ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, and fresh herbs into a creamy mixture. Incorporate the seasoned beef thoroughly, creating a rich and complex filling.
- Baking Setup: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread a thin marinara sauce layer across the bottom of the pan.
- Shell Assembly: Carefully stuff each pasta shell with the beef-ricotta mixture, arranging them snugly in the sauce-lined dish. Pour remaining marinara sauce over the shells, ensuring complete coverage.
- Baking Process: Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle additional mozzarella on top, and return to oven for 10 more minutes until cheese melts and develops a golden crust.
- Serving: Garnish with fresh herb leaves and serve immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
- Pasta Shell Perfection: Cook shells just until al dente to prevent mushiness, ensuring they hold the filling without breaking during stuffing.
- Beef Browning Technique: Drain excess fat after browning ground beef to prevent a greasy final dish and concentrate the meat’s rich flavor.
- Cheese Mixture Balance: Let beef cool slightly before mixing with cheese to prevent the egg from scrambling and maintain a smooth, creamy texture.
- Herb Freshness Boost: Use freshly chopped herbs at the end for maximum flavor and aromatic appeal, elevating the overall taste of the dish.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg