Pasta Shells with Ground Beef is a delectable dish that combines the comforting flavors of Italian-American cuisine with a convenient, easy-to-make recipe. This hearty meal features large pasta shells stuffed with a savory ground beef mixture, coated in a creamy tomato sauce, and baked to perfection with a golden cheese topping. Perfect for family dinners, this dish embodies the essence of cozy, comforting meals that bring everyone together around the table. Whether you’re looking for a weeknight dinner solution or a flavorful dish to impress your guests, Pasta Shells with Ground Beef is guaranteed to satisfy.

Ingredients

To create this delicious Pasta Shells with Ground Beef, gather the following ingredients: You can learn more about this topic.

For the Pasta and Filling

• 12 large pasta shells
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Sauce

• 2 cups marinara sauce or homemade pasta sauce
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for added heat)

For Topping

• Additional shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
• Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)

Note: Feel free to substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option, and use gluten-free pasta shells if desired. Check out our related guide for more tips.

Steps / Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the stuffed pasta shells.
2. Cook the pasta shells: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. Prepare the filling: In a skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat. Stir in the minced garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
4. Mix the filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked ground beef, ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and the egg. Mix until well combined.
5. Stuff the shells: Carefully spoon the beef and cheese mixture into each cooked pasta shell, placing them in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish as you go.
6. Prepare the sauce: In a separate bowl, mix the marinara sauce with heavy cream and red pepper flakes until well blended. Pour half of the sauce mixture over the stuffed shells in the baking dish.
7. Add toppings: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top of the shells and drizzle the remaining sauce over the cheese.
8. Bake the dish: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the top is golden brown.
9. Garnish and serve: Once done, remove from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or basil before serving.

Tips & Tricks

• Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
• Make-ahead option: Assemble the dish up to a day in advance and refrigerate before baking. You may need to increase the baking time slightly if cooking straight from the refrigerator.
• Avoid overcooking: Be careful not to overcook the pasta shells initially, as they will continue to cook in the oven.
• Experiment with flavors: Feel free to add other ingredients to the filling, such as sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or different herbs to customize the flavor.

Variations

• Vegetarian version: Replace ground beef with a mixture of sautéed vegetables such as zucchini, bell peppers, and spinach for a delicious vegetarian option.
• Cheesy delight: Add extra types of cheese such as feta or goat cheese for a flavor boost.
• Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free pasta shells and ensure that all dairy products are gluten-free.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your Pasta Shells with Ground Beef alongside a fresh green salad drizzled with vinaigrette for a balanced meal. A side of garlic bread or a simple caprese salad also complements this dish beautifully.

Invite your family to enjoy this fantastic and flavor-packed dish that encapsulates the warmth of home-cooked meals. Don’t forget to leave feedback on how your Pasta Shells with Ground Beef turned out! Happy cooking!

Pasta Shells with Ground Beef

★★★★★ 5 from 1 vote

Course: Dinner Cuisine: Italian-American Difficulty: Easy

🍽️

Servings

4-6

⏱️

Prep Time

15 min

🍳

Cook Time

40 min

🔥

Calories

—

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Pasta Shells with Ground Beef is a delectable dish that combines the comforting flavors of Italian-American cuisine with a convenient, easy-to-make recipe. This hearty meal features large pasta shells st￭ with a savory ground beef mixture, coated in a creamy tomato sauce, and baked to perfection with a golden cheese topping. Perfect for family dinners, this dish embodies the essence of cozy, comforting meals that bring everyone together around the table.

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Ingredients

• 12 large pasta shells
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 cups marinara sauce or homemade pasta sauce
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for added heat)
• Additional shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
• Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)

Directions

1.

Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the st￭ pasta shells.

2.

Cook the pasta shells: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

3.

Prepare the filling: In a skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat. Stir in the minced garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.

4.

Mix the filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked ground beef, ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and the egg. Mix until well combined.

5.

Stuff the shells: Carefully spoon the beef and cheese mixture into each cooked pasta shell, placing them in a greased 9x13 inch baking dish as you go.

6.

Prepare the sauce: In a separate bowl, mix the marinara sauce with heavy cream and red pepper flakes until well blended. Pour half of the sauce mixture over the st￭ shells in the baking dish.

7.

Add toppings: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top of the shells and drizzle the remaining sauce over the cheese.

8.

Bake the dish: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the top is golden brown.

9.

Garnish and serve: Once done, remove from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or basil before serving.