Decadent Ricotta Beef Stuffed Shells
A comforting dish filled with savory ground beef, creamy ricotta, and melty mozzarella, perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Pasta and Sauce
- 12 large large pasta shells
- 2 cups marinara sauce
Meat and Dairy Filling
- 1 pound ground beef
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- to taste Salt
- to taste Pepper
Garnish
- to taste Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente; drain and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked; drain excess fat.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked beef, ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Fill each pasta shell with the beef and cheese mixture.
Baking
- Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.
- Arrange the stuffed shells in the dish and top with remaining marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Notes
These stuffed shells pair wonderfully with a simple side salad or garlic bread. You can also enjoy them with additional marinara sauce on the side for dipping. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.