Beef Stuffed Shells: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe

Why make this recipe

Beef Stuffed Shells are the ultimate comfort food that everyone loves. They are hearty, cheesy, and filled with delicious ground beef. This dish is perfect for family dinners or gatherings with friends. It’s easy to make and satisfying, not to mention that kids and adults alike enjoy digging into these cheesy pasta shells.

How to make Beef Stuffed Shells

Making Beef Stuffed Shells is simple and fun. You pack jumbo pasta shells with a tasty ground beef and cheese mixture and then bake them in marinara sauce. Here’s how to do it.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces jumbo pasta shells
• 24 ounces marinara sauce (divided)
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 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

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to the package directions until they are 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.
5. Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
6. Carefully stuff each cooked shell with the beef and ricotta mixture and arrange them in the baking dish.
7. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the shells, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese.
8. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
9. Let the dish stand for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

How to serve Beef Stuffed Shells

Serve Beef Stuffed Shells hot from the oven. You can pair them with a fresh salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. A sprinkle of extra parsley on top before serving adds a nice touch.

How to store Beef Stuffed Shells

To store leftovers, let the Beef Stuffed Shells cool, then cover them tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can keep them in the fridge for up to three days. For longer storage, place them in an airtight container and freeze for up to three months.

Tips to make Beef Stuffed Shells

• Use a mix of cheeses for more flavor, such as adding provolone or cheddar.
• For a spice kick, add some crushed red pepper flakes to the meat mixture.
• If you want to make this dish ahead of time, you can prepare everything and keep it in the fridge before baking.

Variation

You can easily make a vegetarian version by substituting the ground beef with sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini. Use a plant-based ricotta and skip the meat for a tasty meatless meal.

FAQs

1. Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes, if you cannot find jumbo pasta shells, you can use manicotti or even a large penne pasta. Just make sure the pasta can hold the filling.

2. Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare it the night before and store it in the fridge. Just bake it before serving.

3. How can I reheat leftovers?
To reheat, place the stuffed shells in a baking dish, cover with foil, and heat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through. You can also microwave individual portions.

Beef Stuffed Shells

Hearty and cheesy, these Beef Stuffed Shells are the perfect comfort food for family dinners and gatherings, filled with a delicious ground beef and cheese mixture baked in marinara sauce.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Calories: 500

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Pasta and Sauce

• 12 ounces jumbo pasta shells
• 24 ounces marinara sauce (divided)

Filling

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 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

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to the package directions until they are 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.
5. Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
6. Carefully stuff each cooked shell with the beef and ricotta mixture and arrange them in the baking dish.
7. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the shells, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese.

Baking

1. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
2. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
3. Let the dish stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Serve Beef Stuffed Shells hot from the oven. Pair with a fresh salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. A sprinkle of extra parsley on top before serving adds a nice touch. For storing leftovers, cover tightly and keep in the fridge for up to three days or freeze for up to three months. This recipe can be made ahead of time by preparing everything and keeping it in the fridge before baking. A vegetarian version can be made by substituting the ground beef with sautéed vegetables.