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+ servings
Delicious beef stuffed shells topped with cheese in a baking dish.

Beef Stuffed Shells

A comforting Italian-American classic featuring pasta shells filled with a rich mixture of ground beef, cheeses, and herbs baked in marinara sauce.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Sauce
  • 12 ounces jumbo pasta shells
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce (divided)
Filling
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 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
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium-high heat until the beef is browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the cooked beef mixture with ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
  5. Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  6. Carefully stuff each cooked shell with the beef and ricotta mixture and arrange them in the baking dish.
  7. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the shells, then sprinkle with the shredded mozzarella cheese.
  8. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 550kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 32gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 800mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6g

Notes

Using fresh herbs or high-quality cheeses can enhance the flavor profile. Opt for homemade marinara sauce if you have the time for an extra touch.

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