Baked to perfection, these Stuffed Shells with Meat and Cheese bring together rich, hearty flavors in every bite. The combination of ground beef, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella creates a luscious, satisfying filling, while the tangy marinara sauce ties everything together. Topped with a golden layer of melted cheese, this dish is pure comfort food at its best. Perfect for a cozy family dinner or a crowd-pleasing meal at gatherings, these stuffed shells offer the ultimate balance of cheesy, meaty, and saucy goodness. Serve them with a side of garlic bread and a crisp salad for a well-rounded Italian-inspired feast. Once you try them, they’re sure to become a staple in your recipe collection!
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
- ½ (12-ounce) package jumbo pasta shells
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 pound 80/20 ground beef
- 3 teaspoons garlic powder, separated
- 2 teaspoons Kosher salt, separated
- 1 ¾ teaspoons black pepper, separated
- 1 (16-ounce) container ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, separated
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg (slightly beaten) + 2 egg yolks
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped basil, separated (optional)
- 2 (15-ounce) cans tomato sauce
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a 9×13″ casserole dish.
- Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to package directions until al dente, drain, and set aside.
- In a large sauté pan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Add ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon. Season with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Kosher salt, and ¾ teaspoon black pepper. Cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and fully cooked.
- Transfer the cooked beef to a large bowl and mix in ricotta, 1 cup of mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, egg yolks, and 2 tablespoons of chopped basil (if using). Stir well to combine.
- In a separate bowl, combine tomato sauce, sugar, remaining garlic powder, salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon basil (if using). Stir to blend.
- Spread ¾ cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of the casserole dish.
- Fill each shell with about 2 tablespoons of the beef and cheese mixture and place them in the dish, seam-side up.
- Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 5 minutes until bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh basil if desired, serve, and enjoy!
Prep Time: 35 minutes | Cooking Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour
Kcal: 578 kcal | Servings: 8
The Ultimate Comfort Food
There’s something inherently comforting about a warm, hearty meal that brings together the best of Italian flavors. If you’re looking for a dish that checks all the boxes satisfying, cheesy, flavorful, and perfect for a cozy night in or serving a crowd look no further than Stuffed Shells with Meat and Cheese. This classic Italian-American dish combines jumbo pasta shells stuffed with a rich filling of ground beef, ricotta cheese, mozzarella, and Parmesan, all topped with a tangy marinara sauce and melted cheese. It’s the kind of meal that makes you feel at home, no matter where you are.
A Versatile Dish for Any Occasion
One of the best things about Stuffed Shells with Meat and Cheese is its versatility. It’s a dish that’s perfect for any occasion, from family dinners to gatherings with friends, to a potluck or holiday celebration. The fact that it’s easy to make in bulk ensures that you can serve a large group, making it an excellent option for feeding a crowd without too much fuss. And, whether you’re enjoying a quiet weeknight dinner with loved ones or preparing a meal for a special event, this dish is bound to be a crowd-pleaser.
The Rich Flavors of the Filling
The filling inside the pasta shells is what truly sets this dish apart. A combination of ground beef, ricotta cheese, and mozzarella creates a creamy and savory mixture that’s rich without being overwhelming. The ground beef provides the hearty, meaty base that gives the dish substance and depth, while the ricotta and mozzarella offer a creamy, gooey texture that melts perfectly in the oven. Parmesan cheese adds a salty, nutty flavor that rounds out the filling and complements the other cheeses. The egg and egg yolks help bind everything together, giving it a smooth consistency that’s easy to stuff into the pasta shells.
What makes this filling extra special is the seasoning. Simple but impactful ingredients like garlic powder, black pepper, and Kosher salt give the filling just the right amount of flavor, while the addition of fresh basil brings a touch of brightness that lifts the dish. You can also adjust the seasoning to your personal taste, making this recipe easy to tweak to your preferences. If you want a bit of spice, you can add red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper to kick up the heat. For a richer flavor, a bit of Italian seasoning or oregano could be added for more complexity.
Marinara Sauce: The Heart of the Dish
No pasta dish is complete without a good marinara sauce, and this one doesn’t disappoint. The tomato sauce serves as the base, with the addition of granulated sugar helping to balance out the acidity of the tomatoes and create a smooth, well-rounded flavor. The sauce is then flavored with more garlic powder, Kosher salt, and black pepper to ensure that it enhances the stuffed shells without overpowering the other ingredients. Fresh or dried basil can also be added to the sauce for a more aromatic, herby finish.
What’s great about the marinara sauce in this recipe is that it’s incredibly easy to make, but it’s full of flavor. It’s not a heavy, overly rich sauce it’s light enough to let the flavors of the cheese and meat shine through, but still adds that essential tanginess that brings the whole dish together. The marinara sauce also helps keep the stuffed shells moist during baking, ensuring that each bite is tender and flavorful.
Baking: The Secret to Golden Perfection
Once the stuffed shells are filled with the meat and cheese mixture, and the marinara sauce is layered on top, it’s time to bake the dish to perfection. The oven time allows all the flavors to meld together, creating a beautifully golden, bubbly top. Covering the dish with foil during the initial bake ensures that the shells cook thoroughly without drying out, while removing the foil toward the end allows the cheese to melt and brown, forming a golden, crispy crust.
As the stuffed shells bake, the aroma fills your kitchen, and you’ll soon find yourself eagerly anticipating the first bite. The contrast between the creamy cheese filling, tangy marinara sauce, and melted cheese topping makes every bite a perfect blend of textures and flavors.
Pairing Ideas for a Complete Meal
Stuffed shells are hearty enough to be a meal on their own, but you can elevate the experience by serving them with a few simple side dishes. Garlic bread is a classic pairing that complements the richness of the stuffed shells and helps soak up any leftover marinara sauce. You can make your own or opt for store-bought for a quick and easy addition. A crisp salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a tangy vinaigrette adds a refreshing contrast to the richness of the pasta dish and helps balance out the meal.
If you’re looking to go all out, you can also serve roasted vegetables or a side of sauteed spinach for an extra dose of flavor and nutrition. The beauty of Stuffed Shells with Meat and Cheese is that it can be paired with virtually any side dish, making it easy to customize based on what you have on hand or what you’re in the mood for.
Making It Ahead of Time
One of the best things about stuffed shells is that they can be made ahead of time. If you’re preparing for a busy week, you can assemble the dish a day or two in advance, store it in the fridge, and bake it when you’re ready to eat. The flavors have even more time to develop as it sits in the fridge, and the convenience of reheating makes it the perfect option for meal prepping.
Stuffed shells can also be frozen for longer storage. If you want to make a double batch, simply assemble the shells, cover them tightly with foil, and freeze. When you’re ready to eat, just bake it straight from the freezer, adding extra time for cooking. This makes it a great option for busy days when you need a delicious homemade meal without all the effort.
Conclusion:
Stuffed Shells with Meat and Cheese is the quintessential comfort food. It’s the kind of dish that never goes out of style – a perfect blend of rich, savory flavors wrapped in pasta and baked to golden perfection. Whether you’re making it for a family dinner, a special gathering, or just because you crave something satisfying and delicious, this recipe is sure to impress. With its hearty filling, tangy marinara sauce, and gooey melted cheese, it’s no wonder that stuffed shells have become a beloved staple in kitchens around the world. Once you try them, you’ll understand why this dish is a timeless favorite that’s sure to become a regular in your recipe collection.
