Go Back
Delicious beef stuffed shells filled with savory meat and cheese.

Beef Stuffed Shells

A hearty and cheesy comfort food packed with seasoned ground beef, ricotta, and mozzarella. Perfect for family dinners and can be made ahead of time.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Sauce
  • 12 ounces jumbo pasta shells Cook according to package directions.
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce Divided; 1 cup for the bottom.
Filling
  • 1 lb lean ground beef Cook until browned.
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg Lightly beaten.
  • 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
  • 2 cloves garlic Minced.
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley Chopped.
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese For topping.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium-high heat until the beef is browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the cooked beef mixture, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
Assembly and Baking
  1. Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. Carefully stuff each cooked shell with the beef and ricotta mixture and arrange them in the baking dish.
  3. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the shells, then sprinkle with the shredded mozzarella cheese.
  4. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
  5. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
  6. Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Makes a great make-ahead meal. Serve with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete dish. You can refrigerate leftovers for up to three days or freeze before baking.