Ground Beef Stuffed Shells
A delicious and hearty dish filled with seasoned ground beef and creamy cheeses, perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
For the pasta
- 1/2 pound jumbo pasta shells
For the filling
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste salt and pepper
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1 cup spaghetti sauce (for filling)
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg, beaten
For baking
- 1 cup spaghetti sauce (for the baking dish)
- Extra mozzarella and parmesan cheese for topping
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350F (175C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the jumbo pasta shells until al dente according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion for about 4-5 minutes until it softens.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, then add the ground beef and cook until browned.
- Stir in the Italian seasoning and 1 cup of spaghetti sauce, mixing well.
- In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese, grated parmesan cheese, and the beaten egg.
Assembly
- Mix the ricotta mixture with the beef mixture until well combined.
- Grease a baking dish and spread 1 cup of spaghetti sauce on the bottom.
- Fill each cooked pasta shell with the beef and cheese mixture, and arrange them in the baking dish.
- Top the stuffed shells with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
Baking
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes. For the last 5-10 minutes, uncover the dish to allow the cheese to brown.
- Once done, let it cool for a few minutes, garnish if desired, and serve.
Notes
Make sure to cook the pasta shells al dente so they hold their shape when stuffed. Feel free to add your favorite vegetables, like spinach or mushrooms. If you want a spicy kick, include some red pepper flakes in the beef mixture.