Beef-Stuffed Shells with Creamy Ricotta Filling Recipe
Delicious beef-stuffed pasta shells filled with a creamy ricotta cheese mixture and baked in a savory marinara sauce topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. A comforting Italian-American classic perfect for family dinners.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 box (12 oz) large pasta shells
Meat Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
Cheese Filling
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Meat Sauce: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain off any excess fat. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute. Pour in the marinara sauce, bring it to a gentle simmer, then remove from heat.
- Cook Pasta Shells: Meanwhile, cook the pasta shells according to the package instructions until they are al dente. Drain them well and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking.
- Make Ricotta Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, grated Parmesan cheese, half of the shredded mozzarella cheese, chopped fresh parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until thoroughly blended.
- Stuff the Shells: Carefully fill each cooked pasta shell with a generous scoop of the ricotta cheese mixture.
- Assemble the Dish: Spread a thin layer of the beef and marinara sauce mixture in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Arrange the stuffed shells in a single layer over this sauce base.
- Top and Bake: Pour the remaining beef and marinara sauce evenly over the stuffed shells. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top. Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the sauce is heated through.
Notes
- For an extra layer of flavor, sprinkle some freshly chopped basil over the top before serving.
- You can prepare this dish a day in advance and refrigerate; just add 10 extra minutes to the covered baking time when reheating.
- Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter alternative to beef if desired.
- For gluten-free option, use gluten-free pasta shells.
Keywords: beef stuffed shells, pasta shells recipe, ricotta stuffed pasta, baked pasta shells, Italian comfort food, marinara sauce pasta
