Description
Jumbo pasta shells filled with savory ground beef, creamy ricotta, Parmesan, herbs, and seasonings, then baked in marinara sauce under a bubbling layer of mozzarella.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces jumbo pasta shells
- 24 ounces marinara sauce, divided
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the beef browns and the onion softens. Drain excess grease.
- Let the beef mixture cool for several minutes.
- Combine the cooked beef mixture, ricotta, Parmesan, egg, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl.
- Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce across the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
- Fill each cooked shell with the beef and ricotta mixture, then arrange the shells in the baking dish.
- Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the filled shells.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the top.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the sauce bubbles and the cheese melts and browns lightly.
- Let the stuffed shells rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan and mozzarella for smoother melting and better flavor.
- Do not overcook the pasta shells because they will continue to soften during baking.
- Assemble the unbaked casserole up to 24 hours ahead and store it covered in the refrigerator.
- Freeze the assembled, unbaked casserole for up to 3 months.
- Thaw a frozen casserole overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 980
- Fat: 26
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Unsaturated Fat: 12
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 46
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 34
- Cholesterol: 115