Beef Stuffed Shells: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe
Beef Stuffed Shells is a hearty and comforting Italian-American baked pasta dish featuring jumbo pasta shells stuffed with a savory mixture of ground beef, ricotta, and Parmesan cheeses, topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings, this classic recipe delivers rich flavors and a satisfying texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
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
Topping
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the stuffed shells later.
- Cook Pasta Shells: Boil jumbo pasta shells according to package directions until they are al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
- Brown Beef Mixture: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef, diced yellow onion, and minced garlic over medium-high heat until the beef is fully browned. Drain excess grease from the skillet.
- Mix Filling: In a large bowl, combine the cooked beef mixture with ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, beaten egg, chopped parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly until well blended.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Stuff Shells: Carefully fill each cooked pasta shell with the beef and cheese mixture and arrange all the stuffed shells in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Pour the remaining 1 cup of marinara sauce over the stuffed shells, then evenly sprinkle 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes to heat through and meld flavors.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned on top.
- Rest and Serve: Let the dish stand for 5-10 minutes after baking to set before serving. Enjoy your delicious beef stuffed shells!
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan and mozzarella cheese for the best flavor and texture.
- Do not overcook the pasta shells initially; they will soften further during baking to avoid mushiness.
- The assembled, unbaked dish can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours or frozen for up to 3 months for convenient meal prep.
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