Description
Creamy Ricotta Beef Stuffed Shells are a comforting Italian classic that combines tender pasta shells with a rich filling of ground beef and creamy ricotta cheese, all smothered in marinara sauce. This dish is perfect for family gatherings or cozy weeknight dinners, bringing warmth and joy to your table. With its delightful layers of flavor and easy preparation, it’s sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 large pasta shells
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 large egg
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Boil salted water in a large pot and cook the pasta shells until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Sauté onion until translucent, then add garlic and cook until fragrant. Add ground beef and brown it while breaking it apart.
- In a bowl, combine the cooked beef mixture with ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, salt, pepper, and basil. Mix well.
- Stuff each shell generously with the meat-ricotta mixture and place them in a baking dish lined with marinara sauce.
- Pour remaining marinara sauce over the shells, sprinkle extra Parmesan on top, cover with foil, and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until bubbly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 stuffed shells (approximately 340g)
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: For a twist, substitute ground turkey for beef or add spinach to the ricotta mixture. To prevent sticking, lightly oil the pasta after cooking.