Best Stuffed Shells with Ground Beef Just Like Grandma Made

A delicious recipe for Best Stuffed Shells with Ground Beef that combines tender pasta, savory ground beef, and rich marinara sauce for a comforting meal.

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Prep Time 20

Cook Time 50

Total Time 1 10

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Italian

Calories: 450

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

For the Pasta

12 pieces Large Pasta Shells Cook al dente

For the Filling

1 pound Ground Beef Can substitute with ground turkey
15 ounces Ricotta Cheese Can substitute with cottage cheese or vegan ricotta
1 large Egg Use flax egg for vegan option
1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 teaspoon Onion Powder
1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
1 teaspoon Salt Adjust to taste
1 teaspoon Pepper Adjust to taste

For the Sauce and Topping

3 cups Marinara Sauce Homemade or store-bought
2 cups Mozzarella Cheese Shredded, for topping
1 cup Parmesan Cheese Grated, for topping

Equipment

Large pot
skillet
Mixing bowl
Baking dish
spatula
Piping bag

Method

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the pasta by boiling in salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse.
Cook the ground beef in a skillet until browned. Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 more minutes.
Mix ricotta, half of mozzarella, half of Parmesan, and egg in a bowl. Fold in the beef mixture.
Stuff cooked shells with the filling and arrange in a baking dish. Pour marinara sauce over the shells and top with remaining cheese.
Cover and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Then uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 25gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 800IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 300mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Let stuffed shells rest before serving for easier cutting. Experiment with cheese varieties for different flavors.

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