Beef-Stuffed Shells with Creamy Ricotta Filling
Cheesy Baked Jumbo Shells Stuffed with Savory Ground Beef and Creamy Ricotta
Ingredients:
For the Filling:
1 lb ground beef
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
For the Shells & Sauce:
20–25 jumbo pasta shells
3 cups marinara or pasta sauce (homemade or store-bought)
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Directions:
Cook Shells: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook jumbo shells until just al dente. Drain and lay out on a baking sheet to cool.
Cook Beef Mixture: In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and chopped onion until beef is browned. Add garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook another 1–2 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Prepare Filling: In a large bowl, mix ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, and parsley. Fold in the cooled beef mixture until evenly combined.
Stuff Shells: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread 1 cup marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. Carefully fill each cooked shell with the beef-ricotta mixture and place them in the baking dish.
Assemble: Spoon the remaining marinara sauce over the shells, then sprinkle the top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until bubbly and lightly golden.
Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley or basil. Serve hot with garlic bread or salad.
Prep Time: 25 minutes | Cook Time: 35 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 6 | Calories: ~450 per serving
