Description
Jumbo pasta shells filled with a creamy ricotta and beef mixture, baked in marinara sauce, and topped with gooey mozzarella. A classic Italian-American comfort food perfect for family dinners, featuring a harmonious blend of savory ground beef, rich cheeses, and tangy marinara baked to perfection.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 20 jumbo pasta shells (about half a 12 oz box)
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Dairy & Eggs
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
Other
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prepare for baking.
- Cook Pasta Shells: Cook the jumbo pasta shells in salted boiling water until al dente, ensuring they are still slightly firm as they will finish cooking in the oven. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and cook until softened, about 3–4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet, season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, and cook until browned and fully cooked. Remove the skillet from heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly.
- Mix Filling: In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, the large egg, and the cooked ground beef mixture. Stir everything together until well blended and creamy.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of the greased baking dish.
- Stuff Pasta Shells: Using a spoon, fill each cooked pasta shell with 2 to 3 tablespoons of the ricotta and beef filling. Arrange the stuffed shells neatly in the baking dish over the marinara sauce.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells, then sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving to add a fresh, herbal touch.
Notes
- This dish can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking, making meal prep easy.
- For freezer-friendly preparation, assemble the shells, cover tightly, and freeze before baking. Bake directly from frozen, adding extra cooking time as needed.
- For variation, substitute ground beef with Italian sausage or turkey to change up the flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Pasta, Comfort Food
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
