Description
These Cheesy Beef Stuffed Shells are a comfort food dream—filled with savory ground beef, creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and baked in a rich marinara sauce. It’s a hearty, crowd-pleasing dinner perfect for weeknights, gatherings, or whenever you’re craving something cheesy and satisfying.
Ingredients
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20 jumbo pasta shells
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1 lb ground beef
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1 small onion, finely chopped
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 cup ricotta cheese
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1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (plus extra for topping)
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½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
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1 egg
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2 cups marinara sauce
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1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
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½ teaspoon salt
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½ teaspoon black pepper
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½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
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1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
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Cook Pasta: Boil jumbo shells in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
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Sauté Beef: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium. Add onion and cook until soft. Stir in garlic and beef, cooking until browned. Drain excess fat.
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Mix Filling: In a bowl, combine ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Add the beef mixture and stir until well blended.
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Stuff Shells: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread 1 cup marinara in a baking dish. Stuff each shell with filling and arrange in the dish.
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Top & Bake: Pour remaining marinara over shells and sprinkle with more mozzarella. Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes until bubbly.
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Rest & Serve: Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy every cheesy, beefy bite!
Notes
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Make ahead: Assemble up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate.
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Freezer-friendly: Freeze stuffed shells before baking for up to 3 months.
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Try ground chicken or turkey for a leaner option.
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Add spinach or chopped basil for extra freshness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 shells
- Calories: 495 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Cheesy Beef Stuffed Shells, baked pasta shells, beef ricotta shells, ground beef pasta bake