Stuffed Shells with Ground Beef

These Stuffed Shells with Ground Beef are pure comfort food! Jumbo pasta shells are filled with creamy ricotta cheese, smothered in a rich meat sauce, and topped with gooey mozzarella cheese. It can be assembled completely in advance so it’s great for a cozy weeknight dinner or a special occasion!

Author: Flavor the Moments

Meal Type: Peanuts Free

Cuisine: Italian

Difficulty: HARD

Prep. Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 694 kcal per serving

Ingredients

6 ounces - jumbo pasta shells
1 tbsp - olive oil
1 ½ pounds - grass fed ground beef
1 - onion
4 cloves - garlic
3 cups - homemade marinara sauce
15 ounces - ricotta cheese
1 - egg
½ cup - parmesan cheese
¼ cup - basil
2 cups - mozzarella cheese
fresh basil

Instructions

Cook the jumbo shells according to package instructions. Drain well in a colander, then spread in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet.
Heat the olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef along with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and break it into chunks with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5 minutes or until almost cooked through, then add the onion and garlic and cook 5 minutes longer until the onion has softened. Drain excess grease as needed.
Add the marinara sauce and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Remove from heat.
Grease a 9×13" baking dish and spread half of the meat sauce over the bottom of the baking dish. Set aside.
Place the ricotta cheese in a medium bowl. Add the egg and stir well to combine. Add the parmesan cheese and basil and stir until incorporated.
Fill each jumbo shell with the ricotta mixture and place the stuffed shells in the baking dish with the meat sauce. Cover the shells with the remaining meat sauce, then top with the mozzarella cheese.
Bake covered with foil for the first 15 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for 10-15 more minutes or until bubbly and golden brown. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Serve topped with freshly chopped basil as desired and enjoy!

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