Description
Cheesy Baked Stuffed Shells are tender pasta shells filled with a creamy cheese filling, topped with a rich marinara sauce and melted mozzarella, making it a comforting and family-favorite dish.
Ingredients
1 (12-ounce) box jumbo pasta shells
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound lean ground beef (or ground chicken/turkey)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
¼ teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
2 (24-ounce) jars good quality marinara sauce
1 (15-ounce) container whole milk ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
1 large egg
¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped, plus more for garnish
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Prep the Pasta: Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to package directions until al dente, then drain and cool
- Sauté the Aromatics and Meat: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat, add onion and cook until translucent, then add garlic and ground beef, cooking until browned
- Prepare the Sauce: Stir in marinara sauce with the meat mixture and let it simmer
- Make the Cheese Filling: Combine ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, parsley, and basil in a bowl, seasoning with salt and pepper
- Stuff the Shells: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish. Fill each shell with cheese mixture
- Assemble and Bake: Spread half the sauce in the baking dish, place shells, cover with remaining sauce, and top with mozzarella
- Bake to Perfection: Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 15-20 minutes until golden brow
- Rest and Serve: Let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes before serving and garnish with parsley and basil
Notes
For vegetarian options, replace meat with sautéed spinach or mushrooms.
This dish can be made ahead and refrigerated or frozen for later use.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 shell
- Calories: 580 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg