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Baked Stuffed Shells

Baked Stuffed Shells

Baked Stuffed Shells are a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish that everyone will adore. These pasta shells are generously filled with a rich blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, then topped with savory ground beef meat sauce and more gooey mozzarella. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings, this recipe is both easy to prepare and delicious. Whether you’re hosting friends or enjoying a cozy night in, these stuffed shells deliver satisfying flavors that leave a lasting impression. Plus, they can be customized to suit your taste preferences and even frozen for future meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 20 jumbo pasta shells
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 pound ground beef
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 24 ounces pasta sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  2. Cook the jumbo pasta shells until al dente, drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté onions and garlic until fragrant.
  4. Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned; then stir in pasta sauce and let simmer.
  5. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, one cup of mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, and parsley; mix until smooth.
  6. Spread some meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish. Fill each pasta shell with the cheese mixture and place them in the dish.
  7. Pour remaining sauce over the shells, cover with foil, and bake for about 30 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle with remaining mozzarella, and bake uncovered for an additional 5–10 minutes until bubbly.

Nutrition

Keywords: For extra flavor, add Italian herbs or spices to the meat sauce. Consider swapping out ground beef for turkey or sausage for variation. Leftovers make excellent lunches; simply reheat in the oven or microwave.