The Best Stuffed Pasta Shells

Stuffed shells with meat, three different types of cheese, and a secret ingredient that adds tons of flavor!

8 Servings

Nutrition (1 serv.) Amount Nutrition (1 serv.) Amount
Calories 446 kcal Sugar 2 g
Carbs 21 g Cholesterol 116 mg
Protein 35 g Sodium 714 mg
Fat 23 g Fiber 1 g
Sugar 2 g
Cholesterol 116 mg
Sodium 714 mg
Fiber 1 g

Prep Time: 30 min Cook Time: 40 min Total Time: 70 min

https://www.theseasonedmom.com/favorite-stuffed-shells/

Ingredients

1 (12 ounce) box jumbo pasta shells

1 lb. ground beef (you can substitute with ground turkey, ground Italian sausage, or ground chicken)

1 cup chopped onion

2 cups shredded Italian blend cheese, divided (you can substitute with shredded mozzarella cheese)

1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 large egg

¼ cup pesto (use prepared store-bought pesto for convenience or homemade pesto when basil is fresh)

1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce

Optional garnish: chopped fresh parsley or basil

Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°F. Cook pasta shells in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions for al dente. Drain the shells in a colander and rinse under cold water.

Step 2

Meanwhile, brown ground beef and onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain off fat; let cool slightly before adding to the filling.

Step 3

Combine 1 ½ cups of the shredded Italian blend cheese, all of the ricotta cheese, all of the Parmesan cheese, the egg, the pesto, and half of the beef and onion mixture in a large bowl. Set aside.

Step 4

Spread ¾ cup of the marinara sauce in the bottom of a 13 x 9-inch baking dish. In a bowl, stir together the remaining marinara sauce and the remaining half of the beef and onion mixture. Set aside.

Step 5

Fill the cooked, cooled pasta shells with the ricotta mixture. Arrange the shells in the baking dish.

Step 6

Top the shells with the marinara sauce mixture.

Step 7

Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of Italian cheese blend over top.

Step 8

Cover the dish with foil. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove the cover and bake for 10 more minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil, if desired. Serve!