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Cheesy Baked Beef and Ricotta Stuffed Shells

A delightful dish of tender pasta shells filled with creamy ricotta and savory beef, all baked in marinara sauce and topped with mozzarella.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Filling
  • 12 pieces jumbo pasta shells
  • 1 pound ground beef can substitute with ground turkey or chicken
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese divided
  • 1 piece egg
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Sauce
  • 2 cups marinara sauce

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the jumbo pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
  2. In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain excess fat, then add marinara sauce, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir and let simmer for about 5 minutes.
  3. In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, half of the mozzarella, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Mix until well incorporated.
Assembly
  1. Carefully spoon a generous amount of the cheese mixture into each cooled pasta shell, followed by the ground beef mixture.
  2. Spread a thin layer of marinara on the bottom of a baking dish. Place the stuffed shells upright in the dish, cover with remaining marinara, and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
Baking
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
  2. Let cool for a few minutes before sprinkling with fresh parsley and serving.

Notes

Substitutions: You can use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option. Monitor cooking time to avoid overcooking the pasta. Avoid overstuffing the shells to prevent messy results. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.