Description
Jumbo pasta shells filled with a creamy ricotta and beef mixture, baked in marinara sauce, and topped with gooey mozzarella. A classic Italian-American comfort food perfect for family dinners!
Ingredients
Pasta Shells:
- 20 jumbo pasta shells (about half a 12 oz box)
Ricotta Beef Filling:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Other:
- 2 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook pasta shells: Cook pasta shells in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare filling: In a skillet, cook onion and garlic. Add ground beef, season, and cook until browned. Let cool slightly.
- Mix filling: Combine ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, and beef mixture in a bowl.
- Assemble: Spread marinara in baking dish. Fill shells with mixture and place in dish. Top with remaining marinara and mozzarella.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes.
- Serve: Garnish with basil or parsley before serving.
Notes
- Can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Freezer-friendly: prepare shells, cover tightly, and freeze before baking. Bake from frozen, adding extra time.
- Swap ground beef for Italian sausage or turkey for variation.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Pasta, Comfort Food
- Method: Baked, Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 790mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
