Get ready to fall in love with Beef Stuffed Shells Pasta: A Delicious and Easy Recipe, a dish that masterfully combines tender jumbo pasta shells, a hearty beef and ricotta filling, marinara sauce, and two fabulous cheeses baked to bubbling perfection. This Italian-American comfort food is pure dinnertime joy, whether you’re serving it to a hungry crowd or turning a weeknight into a celebration. With its balance of rich flavors, satisfying textures, and lots of ooey-gooey cheese, Beef Stuffed Shells Pasta: A Delicious and Easy Recipe is the kind of meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in Beef Stuffed Shells Pasta: A Delicious and Easy Recipe plays a starring role, coming together to create layers of savory, cheesy, downright irresistible flavor. Simple, reliable pantry staples transform into a showstopper dinner you’ll want to make on repeat.
- Jumbo pasta shells: The perfect vessel for holding generous scoops of savory beef and cheese filling—cook them al dente so they hold their shape when stuffed and baked.
- Olive oil: A touch to sauté your onions and garlic, laying a flavorful foundation for the beef filling.
- Onion: Finely chopped for gentle sweetness and depth in every bite.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds irresistible aroma and a robust punch to the filling.
- Ground beef: Rich and hearty, it brings wonderful savoriness and makes every shell substantial.
- Dried oregano & basil: Classics of Italian cooking for that herby, comforting flavor profile.
- Salt & black pepper: Essential seasonings that tie all the flavors together—don’t skimp!
- Marinara sauce: Use a good-quality jarred version or your favorite homemade recipe for bright, tangy tomato flavor.
- Ricotta cheese: Creamy and mild, this cheese makes the filling luscious and keeps the shells ultra-moist.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Nutty, salty punches of flavor inside and on top—don’t forget extra for that golden finish!
- Egg: One large egg helps bind the cheese filling, making it perfectly scoopable.
- Fresh parsley: Chopped for an extra burst of freshness and color both in the filling and as a garnish.
- Mozzarella cheese: Shredded mozzarella melts into a dreamy, gooey blanket over the baked shells.
How to Make Beef Stuffed Shells Pasta: A Delicious and Easy Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Pasta Shells
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add your jumbo pasta shells and cook them just until al dente—about two minutes less than the package directions so they won’t get too soft. Once done, drain the shells and plunge them into an ice bath to stop the cooking. This little trick keeps them perfectly firm for stuffing! Lay the shells out on a parchment-lined baking sheet so they don’t stick together while you prep the rest.
Step 2: Prepare the Beef Filling
Heat the olive oil in a big skillet over medium heat and sauté your finely chopped onion until soft, about five to seven minutes. Next, toss in the garlic and let it cook for about a minute, just until it smells amazing! Crumble in the ground beef, breaking it up as it browns, and cook until it’s no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat to keep things from getting greasy. Sprinkle in oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper, then pour in half the marinara sauce. Let the whole mixture simmer for five to ten minutes—just long enough for all those delicious flavors to meld. Set aside and let it cool a bit before the next step.
Step 3: Make the Ricotta Cheese Mixture
While the beef filling cools, stir together the ricotta cheese, Parmesan, beaten egg, and fresh parsley in a large bowl. Don’t forget a little extra salt and pepper to bring it all together. This mixture is the secret to that creamy, irresistible center in each shell!
Step 4: Assemble the Stuffed Shells
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C), then gently open each pasta shell and spoon in a generous heap of the beef and ricotta fillings. Carefully nestle each stuffed shell, open side up, into a lightly greased baking dish. Don’t be shy—pack them tight so they hold their shape and stay extra moist while baking!
Step 5: Add Sauce and Cheese
Pour the remaining marinara sauce all over those glorious stuffed shells, making sure each one gets cozy with plenty of sauce. Scatter a generous shower of shredded mozzarella and a final sprinkle of Parmesan over the top. That layer of cheese is what takes these shells from good to unforgettable.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes so everything heats through and the flavors marry in the oven. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes—just until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and starting to turn golden brown in spots. Let the Beef Stuffed Shells Pasta: A Delicious and Easy Recipe rest for five to ten minutes before serving; this makes the filling set up perfectly.
How to Serve Beef Stuffed Shells Pasta: A Delicious and Easy Recipe
Garnishes
There’s something about a fresh sprinkle of chopped parsley or basil over Beef Stuffed Shells Pasta: A Delicious and Easy Recipe that makes it pop both in looks and flavor. For even more Italian flair, add an extra dusting of grated Parmesan cheese right before serving.
Side Dishes
Pair your Beef Stuffed Shells Pasta: A Delicious and Easy Recipe with a crisp, leafy green salad tossed in a zesty vinaigrette, or pile on some garlicky bread for sopping up those last delicious dribbles of sauce. Steamed or roasted veggies—think broccoli or green beans—make for a fresh, simple side as well.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, try serving the shells in individual ramekins or arranging them in an oven-to-table skillet for rustic charm. Or, sprinkle freshly chopped herbs and a swirl of olive oil over the cheesy top for eye-catching color and aroma. No one can resist that just-baked look!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (lucky you!), let Beef Stuffed Shells Pasta: A Delicious and Easy Recipe cool completely, then cover and refrigerate. The shells will keep beautifully for up to three or four days, making lunches or quick dinners that taste just as dreamy as day one.
Freezing
To freeze, let the baked shells cool fully, then wrap the dish tightly in plastic wrap and foil. They’ll stay delicious in the freezer for up to two months! Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating so they bake up just as creamy and tender as when freshly made.
Reheating
For best results, reheat your Beef Stuffed Shells Pasta: A Delicious and Easy Recipe in the oven, covered with foil at 350°F until warmed through (usually 20 to 25 minutes). Individual portions can also be microwaved—just add a splash of sauce or water to keep them moist while reheating.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of meat in this recipe?
Absolutely! While ground beef is classic, you can easily swap in ground turkey, chicken, Italian sausage, or even a plant-based ground meat alternative for a twist on the traditional Beef Stuffed Shells Pasta: A Delicious and Easy Recipe.
What’s the best way to keep the shells from sticking together?
After boiling, immediately plunge the shells into an ice bath and then arrange them in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. A little olive oil drizzled on top also prevents sticking as you assemble Beef Stuffed Shells Pasta: A Delicious and Easy Recipe.
Can I make Beef Stuffed Shells Pasta: A Delicious and Easy Recipe ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the entire dish a day in advance, cover tightly, and refrigerate. When ready to eat, pop the dish in the oven, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time to ensure everything is piping hot.
How can I add more vegetables to the filling?
Sauté chopped bell peppers, spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini with the onion and garlic for both extra flavor and a nutritional boost. They blend seamlessly into the beef filling and add lovely color to each bite.
My ricotta filling seems wet. What should I do?
If your ricotta is watery, drain it in a fine mesh sieve before mixing. Also, the beaten egg in the recipe helps bind everything together, ensuring your Beef Stuffed Shells Pasta: A Delicious and Easy Recipe has that perfect, creamy interior.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a crowd-pleasing, comforting, and downright satisfying dinner, look no further than Beef Stuffed Shells Pasta: A Delicious and Easy Recipe. This dish combines all the flavors you love in a cozy, cheese-covered package that’s guaranteed to win rave reviews around the table. Treat yourself and your loved ones to this timeless favorite—it might just become your new go-to recipe!
Print
Beef Stuffed Shells Pasta: A Delicious and Easy Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 75 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Classic beef stuffed jumbo pasta shells filled with a savory beef and ricotta cheese mixture, baked in marinara sauce and topped with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. A comforting and satisfying Italian-American favorite!
Ingredients
- 1 pound
- 1 tablespoon
- 1 large
- 2 cloves
- 1.5 pounds
- 1 teaspoon
- 1 teaspoon
- 1/2 teaspoon
- 1/4 teaspoon
- 1 (25 ounce) jar
- 1 (15 ounce) container
- 1/2 cup, plus more for topping
- 1 large, lightly beaten
- 1/4 cup
- 8 ounces
Jumbo Pasta Shells:
Olive Oil:
Onion, finely chopped:
Garlic, minced:
Ground Beef:
Dried Oregano:
Dried Basil:
Salt:
Black Pepper:
Marinara Sauce:
Ricotta Cheese:
Parmesan Cheese, grated:
Egg:
Fresh Parsley, chopped:
Mozzarella Cheese, shredded:
Instructions
- Cook Pasta Shells: Cook pasta shells in salted boiling water, drain, and set aside.
- Sauté Onion, Garlic, and Beef: Sauté onion and garlic, add ground beef and seasonings, pour in half of the marinara sauce, simmer, and set aside.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: Combine ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, and parsley in a bowl.
- Assemble Stuffed Shells: Fill each pasta shell with beef mixture, place in a baking dish.
- Bake: Top with remaining marinara sauce and cheeses, bake until bubbly and golden.
- Serve: Let rest before serving, garnish, and enjoy!
Notes
- Ensure pasta is cooked al dente.
- Cool beef mixture before stuffing.
- Season beef and ricotta mixtures well.
- Experiment with vegetarian alternatives and additional vegetables.
- Prepare ahead and freeze for later use.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
