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Cheesy Beef Stuffed Shells with Creamy Ricotta Filling

  • Author: Ava McKenney
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Description

Cheesy Beef Stuffed Shells are the ultimate comfort food! Packed with creamy ricotta, hearty ground beef, and topped with bubbly, golden cheese, this easy-to-make recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 20 jumbo pasta shells, cooked al dente
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cups marinara sauce, divided
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the diced onion until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
  3. Add the ground beef to the skillet. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook until browned and fully cooked. Stir in 1 cup of marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
  4. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, ¾ cup mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir until smooth.
  5. Spoon a layer of marinara sauce into the bottom of a baking dish.
  6. Fill each cooked pasta shell with a spoonful of the ricotta mixture, followed by a spoonful of the beef mixture. Place the stuffed shells seam-side up in the baking dish.
  7. Pour the remaining marinara sauce evenly over the shells. Sprinkle the top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
  8. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  9. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.

Notes

  • To save time, the shells can be prepared and refrigerated unbaked for up to 24 hours.
  • Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
  • Add wilted spinach to the ricotta mixture for an extra layer of flavor and nutrients!
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes

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Find it online: https://avadish.com/cheesy-beef-stuffed-shells-with-creamy-ricotta-filling/