Description
Succulent beef-stuffed shells with creamy ricotta filling bring Italian comfort straight to dinner tables. Hearty pasta pockets packed with savory ground beef and rich cheese promise a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 12 jumbo pasta shells
Cheese Mixture:
- 1 cup (227 grams) ricotta cheese
- 1 cup (113 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
Seasonings and Sauce:
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C), preparing for a delectable culinary creation.
- Gently cook pasta shells in boiling water until tender, then carefully drain and allow to cool completely.
- Heat a skillet over medium flame and thoroughly brown the ground beef, eliminating any excess grease. Fold in rich marinara sauce and set aside.
- Craft a luscious filling by whisking ricotta cheese with a beaten egg, sprinkling in aromatic Italian seasoning, and seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Meticulously stuff each cooled pasta shell with the creamy ricotta mixture, arranging them snugly in a baking dish.
- Crown each shell with the seasoned beef mixture, then generously blanket with melty mozzarella and sharp Parmesan cheese.
- Shield the dish with aluminum foil and slide into the preheated oven, baking for 25 minutes to develop deep flavors.
- Uncover the dish and return to the oven for an additional 10 minutes, allowing the cheese to transform into a golden, bubbling crust.
- Remove from the oven and let rest briefly before serving this comforting, cheese-laden masterpiece piping hot.
Notes
- Customize the meat by swapping ground beef with turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, diet-friendly version.
- Ensure pasta shells are slightly undercooked to prevent becoming mushy during baking, maintaining a perfect al dente texture.
- Drain ricotta cheese overnight in a cheesecloth to remove excess moisture, creating a creamier and more concentrated filling.
- Experiment with additional herbs like fresh basil or oregano to elevate the flavor profile and add a vibrant, aromatic touch to the dish.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 470 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg