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Stuffed Shells with Ricotta, Meat Sauce, and Melted Mozzarella Recipe

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4 from 7 reviews

Delicious Italian-style baked stuffed shells filled with a creamy ricotta and mozzarella cheese mixture, layered with savory ground beef and rich pasta sauce. This comforting dish is perfect for family dinners and serves six people.

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 20 jumbo pasta shells (6 ounces)

Sauce and Meat

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 pound ground beef
  • 24 ounces pasta sauce (or homemade meat sauce)

Cheese Filling

  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella, divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons dried parsley

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and prepare a 9 x 13-inch baking dish by spraying it with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Cook Pasta Shells: Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly so they are easier to handle.
  3. Prepare Meat Sauce: In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion, sautéing for about 3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
  4. Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet with onions and garlic. Cook until the beef is browned and fully cooked through, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
  5. Add Pasta Sauce: Pour in the 24 ounces of pasta sauce over the cooked beef and stir to combine. Let the meat sauce simmer on low heat until ready to assemble the dish.
  6. Mix Cheese Filling: In a large mixing bowl, beat 1 egg. Add the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan cheese, and dried parsley. Mix all ingredients well to create a creamy cheese filling.
  7. Assemble Dish: Spread one-third of the meat sauce into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to create a flavorful base layer.
  8. Stuff Pasta Shells: Fill each cooked pasta shell generously with the ricotta cheese mixture and arrange the stuffed shells in the baking dish over the meat sauce.
  9. Add Remaining Sauce: Pour the remaining meat sauce evenly over the arranged shells, covering them well for moisture and flavor.
  10. Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to meld flavors and heat through.
  11. Top with Cheese and Finish Baking: Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the shells, and bake uncovered for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Notes

  • Make sure to cook the pasta shells just until al dente to prevent them from becoming mushy during baking.
  • You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or Italian sausage for a different flavor profile.
  • For extra flavor, add fresh basil or oregano to the cheese filling or meat sauce.
  • Leftover stuffed shells can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
  • Use low-fat cheeses to reduce the calorie count if desired.
  • Author: Olivia
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Find it online: https://yourdailycook.com/stuffed-shells-with-ricotta-meat-sauce-and-melted-mozzarella-recipe/