Description
Tender jumbo pasta shells stuffed with a savory mixture of seasoned ground beef, creamy ricotta, and melted cheese, baked in rich marinara sauce for a comforting Italian-inspired meal.
Ingredients
- 20 jumbo pasta shells
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the jumbo shells according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, sauté until translucent.
- Add ground beef, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until browned, then drain excess fat.
- In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, and egg. Stir until smooth.
- Add the cooked beef mixture to the ricotta filling and mix well.
- Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.
- Stuff each shell with the beef-ricotta filling and place in the baking dish seam-side up.
- Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the shells and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with chopped basil or parsley before serving.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, mix a little cream cheese into the filling.
- Can be assembled ahead and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Prep Time: 25 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian