Here’s a detailed and tasty recipe for Stuffed Shells with Ground Beef:
Ingredients (serves 4–6)
- 12–16 jumbo pasta shells
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
1. Cook the pasta shells
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the jumbo shells according to package instructions until al dente.
- Drain and lay them flat on a baking sheet to prevent sticking.
2. Prepare the filling
- In a skillet over medium heat, sauté the onion until translucent.
- Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Season with salt, pepper, oregano, and basil.
- Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked beef mixture with ricotta cheese, Parmesan, and half of the mozzarella.
- Beat in the egg to bind the mixture.
3. Assemble the shells
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.
- Stuff each shell with the beef-ricotta mixture and place them in the dish.
- Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the shells.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella on top.
4. Bake
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and slightly golden.
5. Serve
- Garnish with chopped parsley.
- Serve with a side salad or garlic bread.
If you want, I can also give you a shortcut version that uses pre-cooked beef and store-bought sauce to make it in under 40 minutes. It’s almost as good but way faster.
Do you want me to do that?
