Stuffed Shells with Ground Beef are a comforting, cheesy baked pasta dish—perfect for family dinners or meal prep. Here’s a reliable, flavorful version:
Ingredients
- 20–25 jumbo pasta shells
- 500g (1 lb) ground beef
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (plus extra for topping)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
1. Cook the shells
Boil shells in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside to cool.
2. Prepare the beef filling
- In a pan, sauté onion and garlic until soft.
- Add ground beef, cook until browned.
- Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Let it cool slightly.
3. Make the cheese mixture
In a bowl, mix:
- Ricotta
- 1 cup mozzarella
- Parmesan
- Egg
- Cooked beef mixture
4. Stuff the shells
Fill each shell with the beef-cheese mixture.
5. Assemble
- Spread a layer of marinara sauce in a baking dish.
- Arrange stuffed shells on top.
- Pour remaining sauce over them.
- Sprinkle extra mozzarella on top.
6. Bake
- Cover with foil and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 25 minutes.
- Uncover and bake another 10 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Tips
- Don’t overcook shells—they tear easily when stuffing.
- Add spinach to the filling for extra nutrition.
- Use a mix of beef + sausage for richer flavor.
- Let it rest 5–10 minutes before serving so it sets.
Variations
- Creamy version: Mix Alfredo sauce with marinara.
- Spicy: Add chili flakes or hot sauce.
- Healthier: Use lean beef or ground turkey.