Go Back

Mexican Stuffed Shells with Enchilada Sauce

A delightful dish featuring jumbo pasta shells filled with a spiced ground meat mixture, refried beans, and cheese, topped with enchilada sauce.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican, Tex-Mex
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Filling
  • 20 pieces jumbo pasta shells
  • 1 lb ground beef or turkey (Halal compliant)
  • 1 can (15 oz) refried beans
  • 1 cup corn (canned or frozen)
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded 1 cup for filling, 1 cup for topping
  • 1 can (19 oz) enchilada sauce
  • 1/2 cup sour cream (for serving)
  • 1/4 cup green onions, chopped (for garnish)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the jumbo pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef or turkey and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Season with chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
  4. Add the refried beans and corn to the skillet, mixing everything until well combined. Remove from heat, then stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
  5. Using a spoon, carefully fill each cooked pasta shell with the meat and bean mixture. Arrange the stuffed shells in a greased baking dish.
  6. Pour the enchilada sauce evenly over the stuffed shells, making sure they’re well covered. Top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
  7. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove the foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
  8. Let it cool slightly, then garnish with sour cream and chopped green onions before serving.

Notes

Substitutions: Ground beef or turkey can be swapped for ground chicken or textured vegetable protein for a vegetarian option. Ensure to watch the baking time to avoid burnt cheese.