Description
Savory beef-stuffed shells with creamy ricotta filling blend Italian comfort with hearty flavors. Cheese-laden pasta pockets promise a delightful meal that satisfies hunger and warms your soul with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 12 jumbo pasta shells
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
Cheese and Binding Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 large egg
Seasoning and Sauce:
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375°F (190°C), creating an ideal environment for baking the stuffed shells.
- Boil pasta shells in salted water according to package directions until al dente, then gently drain and let cool on a clean kitchen towel.
- Heat a skillet over medium flame and cook ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles until no pink remains.
- Eliminate excess fat from the beef, then fold in marinara sauce, blending flavors thoroughly and removing from heat.
- Whisk ricotta cheese with egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl until the mixture achieves a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Carefully fill each cooled pasta shell with the ricotta blend, arranging them snugly in a prepared baking dish.
- Generously distribute the seasoned beef and marinara sauce over the stuffed shells, ensuring even coverage.
- Shower the dish with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan, creating a rich, golden topping.
- Shield the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes, then uncover and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese transforms into a bubbling, golden crust.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef to reduce overall fat content and create a healthier version of the dish.
- Swap traditional pasta shells with whole wheat or gluten-free shells for dietary adaptations.
- Allow ricotta mixture to rest for 10 minutes before filling shells to enhance flavor blending and texture.
- Customize spice levels by adding red pepper flakes or adjusting Italian seasoning intensity according to personal preference.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 470 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg