Classic Stuffed Shells with Meat for a Cozy Night In
Classic Stuffed Shells with Meat is the ultimate comfort food featuring large pasta shells filled with seasoned meat, creamy cheese, and topped with tomato sauce.
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Skillet
- Mixing Bowl
- Baking Dish
Ingredients
Pasta Shells
- 20-25 pieces Large Pasta Shells These serve as the vessel for the filling.
Meat Filling
- 1 pound Ground Beef Provides a rich, savory flavor.
- 1 cup Ricotta Cheese Adds creaminess to the filling.
- 1 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese Adds stretch and creaminess.
- 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese Enhances flavor of the filling.
- 2 cups Marinara Sauce Covers the stuffed shells before baking.
- 1 piece Egg Binds the filling ingredients together.
- 2 cloves Garlic Minced for flavor.
- 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley Adds freshness to the filling.
Seasoning
- to taste Salt
- to taste Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute.
- In a mixing bowl, combine cooked meat, ricotta, 1/2 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Stuff each shell with the meat and cheese mixture.
- Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce in a baking dish. Arrange stuffed shells seam side up and cover with remaining sauce.
- Sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese on top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly.
- Let cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Notes
Consider adding vegetables or experimenting with different cheeses for variations.