Clicky
health meal, low carbs meals, keto meal
All Recipes

Beef-Stuffed Shells with Creamy Ricotta Filling

These Beef-Stuffed Shells with Creamy Ricotta Filling are a hearty, comforting dish perfect for family dinners. Large pasta shells are filled with a delicious mixture of seasoned ground beef, creamy ricotta, and herbs, then baked to perfection in marinara sauce and topped with melted mozzarella cheese. This dish is an Italian-inspired classic that’s sure to satisfy. Let’s dive into the recipe and create a meal everyone will love!

Table of Contents

  1. Ingredients for Beef-Stuffed Shells
  2. Instructions for Beef-Stuffed Shells
  3. Tips & Notes
  4. Recipe Variations & Substitutions
  5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
  6. Conclusion

Ingredients for Beef-Stuffed Shells

  • 20-25 jumbo pasta shells
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • 3 cups marinara sauce

Instructions for Beef-Stuffed Shells

Step 1: Cook the Pasta Shells

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the jumbo pasta shells and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse the shells under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Beef Filling

  • In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks, about 6-8 minutes.
  • Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet, and cook until the onion is soft, about 3-4 minutes.
  • Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

Step 3: Make the Ricotta Mixture

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, and chopped fresh parsley. Mix until well combined.
  • Add the slightly cooled beef mixture to the ricotta mixture and stir until evenly combined.

Step 4: Assemble the Stuffed Shells

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread 1 cup of the marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  • Stuff each pasta shell with about 2 tablespoons of the beef and ricotta mixture. Place the stuffed shells in the baking dish, open side up.
  • Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells, then sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.

Step 5: Bake

  • Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
  • Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  • Let the shells cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips & Notes

  • Prevent Shells from Sticking: After cooking the pasta shells, drizzle them with a bit of olive oil to prevent them from sticking together.
  • Cheese Options: Feel free to use a blend of mozzarella and provolone for an even cheesier dish.
  • Marinara Sauce: Use a high-quality or homemade marinara sauce for the best flavor.

Recipe Variations & Substitutions

  • Spinach and Beef: Add 1 cup of cooked, chopped spinach to the beef and ricotta mixture for added nutrients and flavor.
  • Vegetarian Option: Replace the ground beef with sautéed mushrooms or crumbled tofu for a vegetarian version of this dish.
  • Spicy Twist: Add 1/4 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to the beef mixture for a little heat.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I make beef-stuffed shells ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the stuffed shells up to 24 hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake. When baking, add an extra 5-10 minutes to the cooking time to ensure they are heated through.

2. How do I store leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, or use the microwave for a quicker option.

3. Can I freeze stuffed shells?

Absolutely! Assemble the stuffed shells, but do not bake them. Wrap the dish tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking as directed.

These Beef-Stuffed Shells with Creamy Ricotta Filling are a comforting, flavorful dish that’s perfect for a hearty family dinner. With a rich blend of ricotta, ground beef, and classic Italian herbs, each shell is packed with flavor and baked to perfection. Serve with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal that’s sure to be loved by all.

Happy cooking, and enjoy every bite of this comforting Italian classic!

 

30 Comments

  1. I saw this recipe and decided to give it a try. Oh my gosh! This is so good. My husband is not big on pasta dishes but he loves this. Leftovers are even better if possible.
    I love that the ingredients are so easy to obtain and part of those are already in my kitchen.

  2. I have learned newer and more effective things through your blog post. One other thing to I have observed is that in many instances, FSBO sellers will reject people. Remember, they would prefer not to use your services. But if a person maintain a stable, professional romance, offering aid and staying in contact for four to five weeks, you will usually have the ability to win a conversation. From there, a listing follows. Thanks a lot

  3. you are truly a good webmaster. The web site loading velocity is incredible. It seems that you are doing any distinctive trick. Also, The contents are masterwork. you have done a magnificent process in this subject!

  4. whoah this weblog is wonderful i really like studying your posts. Keep up the great paintings! You know, many persons are searching round for this info, you can help them greatly.

  5. You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something that I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and extremely broad for me. I’m looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!

  6. Heya i抦 for the first time here. I found this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and aid others like you helped me.

  7. Good day! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m definitely glad I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back frequently!

  8. You actually make it seem so easy together with your presentation but I in finding this matter to be really something that I feel I might by no means understand. It sort of feels too complicated and very wide for me. I am taking a look ahead in your subsequent submit, I will try to get the hold of it!

  9. I have been surfing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all web owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the net will be a lot more useful than ever before.

  10. Hello there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it is really informative. I am going to watch out for brussels. I抣l be grateful if you continue this in future. Many people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

  11. Thanks alot : ) for your post. I’d like to write my opinion that the price of car insurance varies from one insurance plan to another, due to the fact there are so many different facets which bring about the overall cost. By way of example, the brand name of the car or truck will have a significant bearing on the fee. A reliable ancient family vehicle will have a less expensive premium when compared to a flashy sports vehicle.

  12. Somebody essentially help to make severely articles I would state. That is the very first time I frequented your website page and so far? I amazed with the analysis you made to create this actual publish incredible. Fantastic task!

  13. PSK Casino bietet seinen Spielern in Deutschland zuverlässigen und zugänglichen Kundensupport über verschiedene Kanäle.
    Benutzer können über den mobilen Browser auf alle Casino-Funktionen zugreifen, einschließlich Registrierung, Ein- und Auszahlungen, Spielen und Zugriff auf Promotionen. Für Benutzer,
    die keine App installieren möchten, bietet PSK Casino eine mobile Version seiner Website, die für alle Arten von Mobilgeräten optimiert
    ist. Darüber hinaus können Benutzer zahlreiche Vorteile wie Freispiele und
    Promotionen für Mitglieder nutzen.
    Mit sicherem Spiel, schnellen Gewinnausschüttungen und zahlreichen Boni bietet PSK Casino alles, was Sie für eine aufregende
    Reise durch die Welt der Glücksspiele benötigen. Entdecken Sie
    eine reiche Auswahl an beliebten Slots, Tischspielen und Live-Dealer-Spielen. Diese App ist
    direkt im offiziellen Google Play Store verfügbar.
    PSK Casino fördert verantwortungsbewusstes Spielen und bietet Unterstützung für Spieler, die Hilfe benötigen. Die App bietet Filteroptionen nach Kategorien, Themen oder Anbietern, um ein individuelles Spielerlebnis zu gewährleisten.

    References:
    https://online-spielhallen.de/umfassende-boaboa-casino-bewertung-lohnt-sich-das-spielen/

  14. Similarly, suppose you want to set the value; you can add a Button control and set its OnSelect property to the code below.
    In this example, I have used my collection, “Statements,” which has single-column table values.

    The Power function does not support single-column tables.
    Insert a List box control on the Power Apps Screen and set its Items
    property to the code below.
    Gambling facilities at the Treasury Casino, sometimes referred to
    as the Reef Casino, include over 150 table games and 1400
    pokies. Treasury Online Casino offers a complete real-money gaming experience for Australian players.
    Featuring three floors of exceptional gaming activity, with more than 60 table games, over 1,600 gaming machines, and poker in the form of cash games and tournaments.
    Whether the sizzling excitement of slot machines, the rigor of poker, or the comradery of table
    games, Treasury Casino Brisbane guarantees a game for every
    individual’s taste.

    References:
    https://blackcoin.co/kangaroo88-casino-a-decade-of-winning-experience/

  15. Credits range from 1c to $1 and there’s linked jackpots on several machines that progressively grow until won. We’re
    home to nearly 500 machines, located on both our main casino floor and
    Boardwalk floor. The Casino’s bar and lounge space features live
    music on Fridays and Saturdays. Wrest Point is Australia’s first ever casino.

    It is safe for international players to play blackjack at our
    recommended online casino sites, and the player promotions and cash bonuses far outweigh the rewards you receive as a land based casino member.
    Unfortunately, because of Australian laws, there are no online casinos in Tasmania or
    Australia, which means the only options are based offshore.

    Close to table games with live music and sport, this bar is big on atmosphere.

    Here you can soak up the theatre of the gaming room, keep an eye
    on the sports action in the lounge, and enjoy your drink of choice in Hobart’s boutique casino.
    Complimentary delivery to the hotel door and pick-up/drop-off options at a
    number of locations around Tasmania is available.
    The Wrest Point Hotel Casino, located in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, holds the distinction of being the first legal
    casino to open in the country. View our latest newsletter
    and see what other members are enjoying.
    With exclusive access to an increased range of special benefits.
    You’ll instantly unlock exclusive discounts and
    experiences at Wrest Point and Country Club Tasmania and earn points every time you visit.
    Savour fine flavours at our awarded Point Revolving Restaurant,
    along with casual dining options. To ensure we provide the
    best experience for your group, please note that bookings must be made at least 7 days in advance.

    References:
    https://blackcoin.co/casinos-in-queensland-qld-2025-up-to-date-list/

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *