Description
Ricotta Beef Stuffed Shells are a delightful dish that combines hearty beef with creamy ricotta and melty mozzarella, perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 20–25 jumbo pasta shells
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 3 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped
- Additional Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water. Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Beef Filling: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Add ground beef, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook until browned. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Prepare the Sauce: Heat marinara sauce in a saucepan over medium heat. Add red pepper flakes if desired. Let simmer while preparing filling.
- Stuff the Shells: Mix cooked beef, ricotta, half of mozzarella, Parmesan, and egg in a bowl until combined. Fill each jumbo shell with this mixture.
- Bake the Dish: Spread marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish. Place stuffed shells in the dish, pour remaining sauce on top, and sprinkle with the rest of the mozzarella. Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Let cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and additional Parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
Make sure not to overcook the pasta. You can use turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter option. For a vegetarian version, replace beef with spinach or other veggies.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 90mg