Description
Ricotta beef stuffed shells pasta delivers a hearty Italian-inspired comfort meal that blends rich meats and creamy cheese. Savory shells nestle perfectly alongside a robust tomato sauce, promising a satisfying dinner for hungry families.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups (710 milliliters) marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 20–24 jumbo pasta shells
- 1.5 cups (354 milliliters) ricotta cheese
- 2 cups (474 milliliters) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup (118 milliliters) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsps fresh parsley or basil, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Extra fresh parsley or basil for garnish
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Cook jumbo shells in heavily salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water, then set aside for filling.
- Meat Fusion: In a large skillet, sauté ground beef and onions until meat browns completely and onions become translucent. Add garlic, season with salt and pepper, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Ricotta Composition: Combine ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, Italian and fresh herbs in a mixing bowl. Incorporate the seasoned beef mixture thoroughly, creating a rich, cohesive filling.
- Baking Setup: Preheat oven to 375F. Spread marinara sauce across the bottom of a baking dish, creating a robust flavor base.
- Assembly and Sauce Coverage: Carefully stuff each shell with the beef-ricotta mixture, arranging them upright in the sauce-lined dish. Pour remaining marinara over the shells, ensuring complete coverage.
- Baking Process: Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle additional mozzarella on top, and continue baking until cheese melts and turns golden brown.
- Serving Presentation: Garnish with fresh herbs and serve immediately, allowing guests to enjoy the warm, aromatic dish.
Notes
- Prevent Shell Sticking: Toss cooked shells with a touch of olive oil to prevent them from clumping together during the cooling and filling process.
- Drain Excess Moisture: Pat ground beef with paper towels after cooking to remove excess fat, ensuring a firmer and less greasy filling mixture.
- Customize Herb Blend: Experiment with fresh herbs like basil, oregano, or thyme to elevate the flavor profile and add personal culinary flair.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute jumbo shells with gluten-free pasta shells or use zucchini boats for a low-carb alternative that maintains the dish’s delicious essence.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg