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Stuffed Pasta Shells with Ground Beef

Stuffed Pasta Shells with Ground Beef for Cozy Family Nights

Stuffed Pasta Shells with Ground Beef is a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal perfect for family gatherings.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Course: PASTA
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 12 pieces Jumbo Pasta Shells Essential for holding the savory filling.
For the Filling
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil Perfect for sautéing
  • 1 medium Yellow Onion Can swap with white or red
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Pepper
  • 3 cloves Garlic Fresh is best
  • 1 pound Ground Beef Consider ground turkey as a substitute.
  • 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning Mix your own with herbs if necessary.
  • 1 cup Spaghetti Sauce Used for filling.
  • 15 ounces Ricotta Cheese Cottage cheese is an alternative.
  • 2 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese Melts beautifully.
  • 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese Pecorino Romano can be used.
  • 1 large Egg Binds the filling.
For Assembly
  • 1 cup Additional Spaghetti Sauce For baking dish.
  • 1 cup Extra Mozzarella and Parmesan Cheese Optional breadcrumbs for crunch.

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • skillet
  • baking dish
  • mixing bowl

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Boil a pot of salted water, then cook the jumbo pasta shells until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and cool them under cold water.
  2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté chopped onions until translucent, add minced garlic and ground beef. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, mixing in spaghetti sauce. Let the filling cool.
  3. In a large bowl, combine ricotta, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and a beaten egg. Gently fold in the cooled beef mixture.
  4. Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil. Spread a thin layer of spaghetti sauce on the bottom, fill each pasta shell, and arrange them in the dish.
  5. Sprinkle extra mozzarella and Parmesan over the stuffed shells. Cover with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove foil for the last 5-10 minutes.
  6. Allow shells to cool slightly before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired and serve with garlic bread or salad.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 25gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 400mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Feel free to adjust ingredients to make your ideal stuffed pasta shells.

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