Description
These Easy Cheesy Baked Beef and Ricotta Stuffed Shells combine tender jumbo pasta shells with a creamy ricotta and ground beef filling, baked in a robust marinara and topped with melty mozzarella. Perfect for busy weeknights, this one‑dish pasta bake delivers comforting flavors, protein‑rich nourishment, and a satisfying cheesy crust. Ready in under an hour, it serves four and makes leftovers ideal for lunch, offering a restaurant‑style experience at home. Pair it with garlic bread for taste.!
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 jumbo pasta shells
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup ground beef
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook jumbo shells until al dente, drain.
- Brown ground beef, season with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper; drain excess fat.
- Mix beef with ricotta cheese.
- Stuff shells with beef‑ricotta mixture and arrange in a baking dish.
- Cover shells with marinara sauce and sprinkle mozzarella on top.
- Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes; remove foil and bake 10 more minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
Notes
- For extra heat
- add red pepper flakes to the sauce. Substitute smoked beef for ground beef for a deeper flavor. Leftovers reheat well in microwave or oven.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 servings
Keywords: Easy Cheesy Baked Beef and Ricotta Stuffed Shells, easy stuffed shells recipe, beef ricotta casserole, quick dinner ideas, family pasta bake, cheesy pasta bake, how to make stuffed shells, easy pasta recipes