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Beef and Ricotta Stuffed Shells

A classic Italian dish filled with ground beef and ricotta cheese, perfect for family dinners.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 6-8 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 12 jumbo pasta shells
  • 1 cup marinara sauce
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook pasta shells according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet, cook ground beef until browned, breaking it into small pieces.
  4. Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until the onion is translucent.
  5. In a large bowl, combine cooked ground beef mixture, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
  6. Stuff each cooked pasta shell with the beef and ricotta mixture.
  7. Spread a layer of marinara sauce in the bottom of a baking dish. Arrange stuffed shells on top.
  8. Cover with more marinara sauce and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese.
  9. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Notes

This recipe can be prepared ahead of time by assembling the shells and refrigerating or freezing them before baking. It’s a versatile dish that can be adjusted based on dietary needs.

  • Author: Unknown
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
  • Method: Main Course
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 5
  • Sodium: 400
  • Fat: 25
  • Saturated Fat: 10
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 30
  • Fiber: 2
  • Protein: 30
  • Cholesterol: 60