The Best Ground Beef Stuffed Shells Recipe For Cozy Dinners

Creamy, cheesy ground beef stuffed shells bring comfort right to your dinner table.

Pasta lovers adore these hearty Italian-inspired pockets bursting with savory goodness.

Melted cheese cascades over perfectly seasoned meat nestled inside tender pasta shells.

Each bite promises a delightful blend of rich flavors that dance across your palate.

Weeknight meals never looked so inviting with this simple yet impressive dish.

Home cooks appreciate how quickly these shells come together with minimal preparation.

You’ll want to bookmark this recipe for those moments when classic comfort food calls.

Dive into a meal that guarantees smiles around the table.

Why Perfect Ground Beef Stuffed Shells Recipe Is So Filling And Tasty

• Conquer Complex Cooking: This recipe transforms seemingly complicated dish into a manageable culinary adventure for home cooks of all skill levels.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Packed with rich ground beef, melted cheese, and classic marinara, these stuffed shells guarantee smiles around the dinner table and satisfy hearty appetites.
• Versatile Meal Solution: Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep, this recipe adapts easily to different occasions and dietary preferences with simple ingredient swaps.
• Minimal Ingredient Magic: Using straightforward pantry staples, this recipe proves you can create restaurant-quality meals without complicated or expensive components.

What You’ll Need For Perfect Ground Beef Stuffed Shells Recipe

• Ground Beef: A hearty and flavorful base for the stuffed shells filling.

• Jumbo Pasta Shells: Large shells perfect for holding the rich meat and cheese mixture.

• Ricotta Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Creamy cheeses that add richness and depth to the stuffed shells.
• Egg: Helps bind the cheese and meat mixture together.

• Onion, Garlic: Provide a savory and aromatic base for the beef mixture.
• Italian Seasoning, Salt, Pepper: Enhance the overall flavor profile of the dish.

• Marinara Sauce: A classic tomato-based sauce that complements the beef and cheese.
• Fresh Parsley: Adds a fresh, bright garnish to the finished dish.

• Aluminum Foil: Used to cover the baking dish during initial cooking.

Instructions For Perfect Ground Beef Stuffed Shells Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Oven Temperature

Warm up your oven to 375°F, ensuring it’s perfectly heated for baking the delicious shells.

Step 2: Cook Pasta Shells

Boil jumbo pasta shells in salted water until they reach al dente texture. Carefully drain and set aside to cool slightly.

Step 3: Brown Beef And Aromatics

• Diced onions
• Minced garlic

Cook until beef turns golden brown and onions become translucent. Drain excess fat completely.

Step 4: Create Creamy Filling

• Ricotta cheese
• Mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Beaten egg
• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Black pepper

Mix thoroughly until ingredients blend seamlessly.

Step 5: Layer Baking Dish

Spread a thin marinara sauce layer across the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Generously stuff each pasta shell with the beef and cheese mixture, arranging them neatly in the dish.

Step 6: Cover With Sauce And Cheese

Pour remaining marinara sauce over stuffed shells, ensuring complete coverage. Sprinkle additional mozzarella cheese on top for extra richness.

Step 7: Bake To Perfection

Cover baking dish with aluminum foil, preventing direct cheese contact. Bake for 25 minutes, then remove foil and continue baking for another 15 minutes until cheese turns golden and bubbly.

Step 8: Finish And Serve

Allow shells to rest for a few minutes after removing from oven. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve hot and enjoy the mouthwatering meal!

Tips To Make Perfect Ground Beef Stuffed Shells Recipe

• Drain Fat Thoroughly: Remove excess grease from ground beef to prevent a greasy dish and ensure a lighter, more appetizing texture.
• Cheese Blend Matters: Mix different cheeses like ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan for a rich, complex flavor profile that elevates the entire dish.
• Cook Shells Perfectly: Slightly undercook pasta shells since they'll continue cooking in the oven, preventing mushy and overcooked pasta.
• Season Generously: Add extra Italian herbs or red pepper flakes to the meat mixture for a more vibrant and personalized taste experience.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the stuffed shells in advance and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld together before baking for an even more delicious meal.

Delicious Variations Of Perfect Ground Beef Stuffed Shells Recipe

• Vegetarian Stuffed Shells: Replace ground beef with plant-based protein like crumbled tofu, lentils, or meat substitute, maintaining the same cheese and seasoning mixture.
• Low-Carb Zucchini Boats: Swap pasta shells with hollowed zucchini halves, using the same beef and cheese filling for a lower-carb alternative.
• Turkey Lean Option: Substitute ground beef with ground turkey for a leaner protein choice, keeping all other ingredients and preparation methods identical.
• Mediterranean-Style Shells: Incorporate feta cheese, spinach, and add oregano and mint to create a Greek-inspired version of the classic stuffed shells recipe.

What Goes With Perfect Ground Beef Stuffed Shells Recipe

• Savor Complementary Wine Pairing: A medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese perfectly balances the rich, meaty flavors of the stuffed shells with its bright acidity and fruity undertones.
• Craft Herbal Salad Companion: Create a crisp mixed green salad with arugula, fresh basil, and a light lemon vinaigrette to cut through the dish's richness and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Elevate with Garlic Bread: Prepare a crusty garlic bread with herb-infused butter to soak up the delicious marinara sauce and add a complementary texture that enhances the overall meal experience.

Storing Perfect Ground Beef Stuffed Shells Recipe Made Easy

• Store leftover stuffed shells in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring they're completely cooled before sealing.
• Wrap individual portions or the entire dish tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Label the container with the date to track freshness.
• Thaw frozen stuffed shells in the refrigerator overnight. Preheat oven to 350°F, cover with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 20-25 minutes until heated through. Add a splash of marinara sauce to maintain moisture.
• Place a single serving on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel.

Common Questions About Perfect Ground Beef Stuffed Shells Recipe

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Absolutely! Ground turkey is a lean alternative that works perfectly in this recipe. Just make sure to season it well and drain any excess moisture.

• Is it possible to make these shells ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the stuffed shells in advance. Assemble them in the baking dish, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

• How can I prevent the shells from sticking together when cooking?

After draining, rinse the cooked shells with cold water and lay them out separately on a clean kitchen towel. This helps prevent them from sticking and makes them easier to fill.

Ground Beef Stuffed Shells Recipe

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4.9 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Cheesy ground beef stuffed shells bring Italian-American comfort straight to dinner tables with rich, hearty flavors. Melted cheese and seasoned beef nestle inside perfectly cooked pasta shells, promising a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
• 20 jumbo pasta shells
• 1 cup (240 grams) ricotta cheese
• 1 cup (100 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 jar (24 ounces/680 grams) marinara sauce

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Binding Ingredient:

• 1 egg

Garnish:

• Fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 375°F, ensuring a perfectly warm environment for baking the stuffed shells.
2. Cook jumbo pasta shells in boiling water until they reach al dente texture, then drain and set aside to cool slightly.
3. Heat a large skillet over medium temperature and brown ground beef with onions and garlic, cooking until meat is completely cooked and onions become translucent, approximately 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat thoroughly.
4. Create the filling by mixing cooked beef with ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until the mixture becomes smooth and well-incorporated.
5. Spread a thin marinara sauce layer across the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
6. Carefully stuff each pasta shell with the beef and cheese mixture, arranging them neatly in the prepared baking dish.
7. Generously pour remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells, ensuring complete coverage, then sprinkle additional mozzarella cheese on top for extra richness.
8. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil, taking care not to let it touch the cheese, and bake for 25 minutes.
9. Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes until cheese turns golden and bubbly.
10. Allow the stuffed shells to rest for a few minutes after removing from the oven, then garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

• Choose lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10) to reduce excess grease and create a cleaner, more flavorful filling.
• Rinse pasta shells in cold water immediately after cooking to stop the cooking process and prevent them from becoming mushy.
• Thoroughly drain the ground beef to avoid watery or greasy stuffed shells, using a colander or paper towels to remove excess fat.
• Experiment with cheese variations like adding goat cheese or using a blend of mozzarella and provolone for more complex flavor profiles.
• For a low-carb alternative, replace pasta shells with zucchini boats or bell pepper halves to make the dish more diet-friendly.
• Enhance the meat mixture by incorporating finely chopped spinach or mushrooms for added nutrition and depth of flavor.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 470
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 950 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg