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Beef Stuffed Shells Italian American Dish

Beef Stuffed Shells

Beef Stuffed shells are the result of the fusion of Italian and American culinary classics with a creamy ricotta filling and savory ground beef then baked in a tomato sauce.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 5
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Equipment (affiliate links)

  • 1 9x13-inch baking dish
  • 1 Large pot
  • 1 Large Skillet
  • 1 Medium bowl

Ingredients

Meat filling:

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced

Ricotta Mixture

  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the Pasta

  • 20-25 jumbo pasta shells usually about half a box

For the Sauce

  • 2 cups marinara sauce store-bought or homemade
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for a bit of heat

Instructions

Preheat the Oven

  • 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with a little olive oil or cooking spray.

Cook the Past

  • Bring a large pot of water with salt to a boil. Add the jumbo pasta shells and cook according to the package directions, usually about 9-11 minutes, until al dente. Drain the cooked shells and lay them on a sheet of parchment paper or a clean kitchen towel to cool and prevent them from sticking together.

Prepare the Filling

  • In a large skillet, heat a little olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks (about 6-7 minutes).
  • Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking for another 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  • Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, egg, dried basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir well until everything is evenly mixed.

Stuff the Shells

  • Carefully spoon the beef and cheese mixture into each cooked shell. You can fill them generously without overstuffing. Place each stuffed shell into the prepared baking dish.

Assemble the Dish

  • Once all the shells are filled, pour the marinara sauce evenly over the stuffed shells. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese on top of the sauce.

Bake

  • Cover the baking pan with aluminum foil (to prevent the cheese from browning too quickly) and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional baking time of 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the sauce is hot.

Serve

  • Let the stuffed shells rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley on top of the shells.

Notes

Meat Sauce: I used ground beef for this recipe, but I have made it with Italian sausage, ground turkey, or ground chicken.
Stuffed Shell Filling: I have added bite-size cuts of green beans and bell peppers sautéed with the onions and made a veggie version also which is a great way to use leftover vegetables.

Nutrition

Serving: 5g | Calories: 627kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 158mg | Sodium: 972mg | Potassium: 767mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1074IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 421mg | Iron: 4mg