Description
These Beef-Stuffed Shells with Creamy Ricotta Filling are the ultimate comfort food—a delicious combination of tender pasta shells filled with a savory ground beef and ricotta mixture, topped with rich marinara sauce and gooey mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for family dinners or special gatherings, this gluten-free main course brings classic Italian-inspired flavors to your table.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 large pasta shells
Filling
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce & Toppings
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven – Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking your stuffed shells.
- Cook Pasta Shells – Boil the pasta shells according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly so they’re easier to fill.
- Prepare Beef Filling – In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat. In a large bowl, combine the cooked beef with ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese, the Parmesan cheese, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Stuff the Shells – Carefully fill each pasta shell with the prepared beef and cheese mixture, being generous with the filling.
- Assemble the Dish – Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of a baking dish. Arrange the stuffed shells over the sauce. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the shells, making sure they are mostly covered to prevent drying out.
- Add Cheese Topping – Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top for a cheesy crust.
- Bake the Shells – Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve – Let the stuffed shells rest for a couple of minutes before serving. For extra freshness and color, garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with sautéed vegetables or cooked lentils.
- You can prepare the stuffed shells up to a day in advance; keep them covered in the fridge and bake when ready.
- Leftovers reheat well in the microwave or oven—perfect for meal prep.
- Garnish with extra Parmesan or a drizzle of olive oil for extra richness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
