Hearty Ground Beef Stuffed Shells Comfort Food at its Finest

Recipe Introduction

Ever get that craving for something seriously comforting? Something that feels like a warm hug? Honestly, I do! That’s why I'm sharing my recipe for Ground beef stuffed shells Stuffed .

It’s proper Italian-American comfort food at its absolute finest.

Brief Love Affair With Shells

The Italian-American version is all about hearty portions. This recipe is fairly simple but does take a bit of time. You will get about six servings.

Why You Need These Shells in Your Life

This dish is packed with protein, thanks to the beef and cheese! It's perfect for a family Sunday dinner. What makes these shells special is that they are bursting with flavour, just like those Classic Italian-American Recipes !

Okay, right then! Let's get cracking on these , shall we? Here are ten perfectly suited for making your " Ground beef stuffed shells " recipe shine online, just like a proper Sunday roast:

1. Jumbo Stuffed Shells Recipe
2. Ground Beef and Ricotta Shells
3. Italian Comfort Food Recipe
4. Baked Stuffed Pasta Shells
5. Marinara Sauce Pasta Bake
6. Easy Stuffed Shells Dinner
7. Stuffed Shells with Meat Sauce
8. Giant Shell Pasta Recipe
9. Homemade Stuffed Shells
10. Classic Italian-American Recipes

Gather Round, Ingredients Await

For the pasta, you'll need 20 jumbo pasta shells . Don't skimp! You need the big boys!

Next, the beef filling consists of 1 lb ground beef . Also, 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 small chopped onion .

Throw in 2 cloves minced garlic and 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning . Don't forget salt and pepper to taste!

Let's move onto the cheese! Get 2 cups ricotta cheese , 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese and ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese .

Top it off with 1 large beaten egg .

Lastly, you will need 2 cups marinara sauce . Fresh basil or parsley is optional for garnish.

Honestly, making Ground beef stuffed shells Stuffed is way easier than you think. Once you nail this dish, you'll feel like a proper chef. Ready to get started?

Hearty Ground Beef Stuffed Shells Comfort Food at its Finest Recipe Card

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Preparation time:25 Mins

Cooking time:40 Mins

Servings:6 servings

Ingredients:

• 20 jumbo pasta shells
• 1 lb (454g) ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped (approx. 1/2 cup)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 cups (454g) whole milk ricotta cheese
• 1 ½ cups (170g) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided (1 cup / 113g for filling, 1/2 cup / 57g for topping)
• ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese, divided (1/4 cup / 25g for filling, 1/4 cup / 25g for topping)
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 2 cups (473ml) marinara sauce, divided (1 cup / 237ml for base, 1 cup / 237ml for topping)
• Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

• Boil jumbo shells until al dente; drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside to prevent sticking.
• Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil. Add ground beef, seasoning with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until browned and cooked through, then drain excess fat and slightly cool.
• Combine ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, 1/4 cup Parmesan, egg, and cooked beef mixture in a bowl. Mix well.
• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce in the baking dish. Stuff each shell with beef and cheese mixture and arrange in dish.
• Spoon remaining marinara sauce over the shells. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10-15 minutes more, until cheese is golden and bubbly.
• Garnish with fresh basil or parsley, if desired. Serve hot.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:450-550

Fat:25-30g

Fiber:2-3g

Recipe Info

Category:Main Course

Cuisine:Italian-American

Ingredients & Equipment for Cracking Good Stuffed Shells

Alright, right then! Let's get cracking on these Ground beef stuffed shells . This dish is Italian Comfort Food Recipe at its finest. Honestly, it's easier than you think!

Main Ingredients Breakdown

• Jumbo shells: 20 . Don't overcook them. Aim for al dente.
• Ground beef : 1 lb (454g) . An 80/20 blend is spot on! Look for bright red color.
• Olive oil: 2 tablespoons (30ml) . Extra virgin is always a winner.
• Onion: 1 small (about ½ cup chopped). Yellow or white, your call.
• Garlic: 2 cloves , minced. Fresh is best.
• Dried Italian seasoning: 1 teaspoon . You know, the usual suspects: oregano, basil, thyme.
• Ricotta cheese: 2 cups (454g) . Go for whole milk. It's creamier and makes all the difference.
• Mozzarella cheese: 1 ½ cups (170g) shredded, divided ( 1 cup / 113g for filling, 1/2 cup / 57g for topping). Low moisture, part-skim is fine.
• Parmesan cheese: ½ cup (50g) grated, divided ( 1/4 cup / 25g for filling, 1/4 cup / 25g for topping). Freshly grated is divine.
• Egg: 1 large , lightly beaten. It helps bind the filling.
• Marinara sauce: 2 cups (473ml) , divided ( 1 cup / 237ml for base, 1 cup / 237ml for topping). Use your fave jarred or Homemade Stuffed Shells sauce.

Seasoning Notes

For the beef, the Italian seasoning is key. A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a subtle kick. Don't forget salt and pepper. Taste as you go!

If you're missing Italian seasoning, use equal parts dried oregano, basil, and thyme. For extra richness, a splash of red wine vinegar brightens up the sauce.

Essential Equipment

• Large pot for pasta. Obvious, innit?
• Colander. Don't skip the rinsing part.
• Large skillet. For browning the beef.
• Large mixing bowl. The bigger, the better.
• 9x13-inch baking dish. This is Marinara Sauce Pasta Bake , so you will need this.
• Aluminum foil. To trap the heat.

Alternatives? A Dutch oven can work for the baking dish. A wooden spoon is perfectly fine if you don't have a fancy spatula.

You know? Use what you've got! This Easy Stuffed Shells Dinner recipe is about comfort, not perfection. Oh my gosh!

Let's Get Cooking: Mastering the Stuffed Shell!

Okay, right then! Let's get cracking on these , shall we? Hearty Ground beef stuffed shells Stuffed ! That's what we're making today.

This Italian Comfort Food Recipe is proper lush. Honestly, it's one of my go-to dishes. You know?

Prep Like a Pro for Giant Shell Pasta Recipe

First, mise en place is key. It’s a fancy French term. It means "everything in its place". Chop your onion.

Mince your garlic. Get your cheeses ready. Having all the ingredients prepped saves time later. Trust me on this.

For time-saving, batch the prep. Chop extra onion. Freeze half for later. Easy peasy. Regarding safety, remember knife skills are important.

Always curl your fingers under! No one wants a trip to A&E.

Step-by-Step to Homemade Stuffed Shells

1. Cook your jumbo pasta shells for 8 minutes . They should be al dente. Drain and rinse. This stops them from sticking.
2. Brown 454g ground beef in a pan. Add onion and garlic. Cook until the beef is brown. Drain the excess fat. Nobody wants greasy shells.
3. Mix the beef with ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, and an egg. Season well with Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Use 2 cups of ricotta cheese .
4. Preheat your oven to 190° C . Smear 1 cup of marinara sauce in a baking dish. This stops the shells from sticking.
5. Stuff each shell with the beef mixture. Arrange them in the dish. Spoon the remaining sauce over the shells. Top with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan.
6. Cover with foil. Bake for 25 minutes . Remove the foil and bake for another 10- 15 minutes . The cheese should be golden and bubbly.

Pro Tips for Baked Stuffed Pasta Shells

A top tip. Don't overcook the shells. Undercooking them is better. They’ll finish cooking in the oven.

Another tip. Drain your beef really well. Use lean ground beef. It will make a difference.

One common mistake is not seasoning enough. Add plenty of herbs and spices! Make-ahead options include assembling the shells. Then freeze them. Just add baking time when you’re ready.

I once forgot to drain the beef properly. Oh my gosh! The shells were swimming in grease. Learn from my mistakes.

They were a real culinary disaster, a shame for the Classic Italian-American Recipes .

Recipe Notes to Elevate Your Stuffed Shells

Okay, right then! Before you dive into making these Hearty Ground Beef Stuffed Shells , let's chat about a few key things.

This isn't just a Jumbo Stuffed Shells Recipe ; it's about making the best Italian Comfort Food Recipe you've ever had.

Trust me, a few simple tips can make all the difference. I actually made this for my mates last weekend.

Honestly, I messed up the cheese the first time (used low fat… disaster!). Now, I only use full-fat ricotta – worth every calorie!

Serving Suggestions That Wow

Plating and presentation are key, innit? Think about it: A simple scattering of fresh basil can turn this Marinara Sauce Pasta Bake into something truly special.

For sides, garlic bread is a classic. A crisp green salad provides a nice balance, too. For drinks, a glass of red wine (Chianti or Montepulciano) would go lovely with this Ground Beef and Ricotta Shells .

Storage Sorted

Got leftovers? No worries! These Easy Stuffed Shells Dinner are even better the next day. Refrigeration guidelines: Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Make sure to let it cool down before putting it in the fridge, or you’ll end up with condensation. Freezing options: You can freeze the shells before or after baking.

Wrap them well or freeze them in a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. Reheat them from frozen in the oven at 350° F ( 175° C) for about an hour, or until heated through.

Reheating instructions: Reheat in the oven at 350° F ( 175° C) until warmed through. You can also microwave individual portions.

Stuffed Shells: Mix It Up!

Want to try something different with this Giant Shell Pasta Recipe ? Go ahead! Dietary adaptations: Make it vegetarian by using plant-based mince or mushrooms.

Seasonal ingredient swaps: In the summer, use fresh tomatoes in your marinara. In the winter, you can add roasted squash to the cheese filling, trust me on this one.

Nutrition Nuggets

These Homemade Stuffed Shells are definitely a treat. Each serving will give you approximately 450-550 calories, 30-35g of protein and 25-30g of fat.

Stuffed Shells with Meat Sauce are rich in protein and calcium but don't go overboard! Just remember it is important to have a balanced diet.

And it is important to note that it is only an estimate.

Well, there you have it! These Classic Italian-American Recipes are all about having a go and creating something delicious. Now get into the kitchen, have fun, and tuck in.

You've got this! Ground beef stuffed shells Stuffed here we come.