Description
Delicious stuffed jumbo pasta shells filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, ricotta, and Parmesan cheeses, baked in marinara sauce and topped with melted mozzarella for a comforting Italian-inspired meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 pieces jumbo pasta shells
Filling
- 1 pound ground beef (can substitute with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
Sauce and Topping
- 1 cup marinara sauce (can use store-bought for convenience)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat. Then stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to flavor the meat.
- Make the Filling: In a bowl, combine the cooked beef mixture with ricotta cheese, egg, and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well for a creamy and cohesive filling.
- Stuff the Shells: Carefully stuff each cooked pasta shell with the beef and cheese mixture, ensuring each shell is generously filled.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Spread half of the marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of a baking dish. Arrange the stuffed shells snugly on top of the sauce.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the arranged shells. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on the very top.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes to allow flavors to meld and shells to warm through.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese on top is bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh basil if desired, and serve the stuffed shells hot for a hearty and satisfying meal.
Notes
- For a lighter variation, substitute ground turkey or chicken for the ground beef.
- You can prepare this dish ahead of time and refrigerate before baking, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time if chilled.
- Use no-boil jumbo shells to save time; adjust cooking instructions accordingly.
- Fresh basil adds a nice herbal aroma and flavor but is optional.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: stuffed pasta shells, baked pasta dish, ricotta cheese, ground beef, Italian dinner, comfort food
