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Taco Stuffed Shells Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 57 reviews

Delicious and family-friendly Taco Stuffed Shells combine jumbo pasta shells filled with seasoned ground beef, creamy cheese, and salsa, baked to perfection and topped with fresh tomatoes, green onions, and cilantro. This recipe offers a flavorful twist on classic tacos, perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta Shells and Cheese

  • 24 jumbo pasta shells
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 4 oz. cream cheese
  • Sour cream, for topping

Meat Filling

  • ½ tbsp olive oil
  • ½ onion, chopped
  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 1 packet taco seasoning (or 3 tbsp)
  • 1 cup salsa

Toppings

  • 2 roma tomatoes, chopped
  • ¼ cup chopped green onion
  • 2 tbsp chopped cilantro

Instructions

  1. Prepare pasta shells: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to the package directions until al dente. Drain them well and place on a layer of paper towels to dry while preparing the filling.
  2. Sauté onions: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion with a pinch of salt and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Cook beef and seasoning: Add the ground beef and taco seasoning to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and cooked through. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
  4. Mix creamy filling: Stir in the salsa and cream cheese into the beef mixture. Continue stirring until the cream cheese is completely melted and evenly incorporated into the taco meat.
  5. Stuff pasta shells: Spoon the taco meat mixture evenly into each cooked pasta shell. Arrange the stuffed shells upright in a greased casserole dish. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
  6. Bake: Cover the casserole with tin foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  7. Add toppings: Remove from oven and drizzle with sour cream. Garnish with chopped roma tomatoes, green onions, and cilantro before serving.

Notes

  • Add a small drizzle of olive oil when cooking ground turkey to compensate for its leanness.
  • Swap cheddar with Pepper Jack cheese for a spicier version with extra flavor.
  • Stir in ½ to 1 cup of drained and rinsed black beans to stretch the filling and add protein and texture.
  • Add a handful of frozen or canned corn to bring a sweet balance to the taco flavors.

Keywords: taco stuffed shells, baked pasta shells, taco pasta recipe, ground beef stuffed shells, creamy taco pasta

Find it online: https://busyrecipe.com/taco-stuffed-shells-recipe/