Description
A comforting and delicious pasta dish featuring jumbo shells stuffed with a rich mixture of ground beef, creamy ricotta, and mozzarella cheese. Topped with a creamy marinara sauce, this dish is perfect for family dinners!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Filling:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
For the Pasta:
- 20 jumbo pasta shells, cooked and drained
For the Sauce:
- 3 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat.
- Prepare the Filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ground beef, ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Stuff the Shells: Using a spoon, fill each cooked pasta shell with the beef and ricotta mixture.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the marinara sauce, heavy cream, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until the sauce is heated through and the cheese is melted.
- Assemble the Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a thin layer of the sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange the stuffed shells in the dish and pour the remaining sauce over the top.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is melted and golden.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, you can use homemade marinara sauce.
- If you prefer extra creamy stuffed shells, add a bit more heavy cream to the sauce.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with a simple side salad and garlic bread.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg