Beef-Stuffed Shells with Creamy Ricotta Filling

Ingredients

  • 20 jumbo pasta shells
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup marinara sauce (plus extra for topping)
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta Shells: Boil the shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool.
  2. Prepare the Beef Filling: In a skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Add onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook until the onion is soft. Stir in 1 cup of marinara sauce and let it simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
  3. Make the Ricotta Mixture: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella, Parmesan, beaten egg, and parsley. Mix well.
  4. Stuff the Shells: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Fill each shell with a mixture of the beef filling and ricotta mixture.
  5. Assemble the Dish: Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish. Arrange the stuffed shells in a single layer. Spoon extra marinara sauce over the shells and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese.
  6. Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  7. Serve: Garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh parsley. Enjoy!

Would you like any modifications to the recipe? 😊

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