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Creamy Ricotta Beef Stuffed Shells

Creamy ricotta beef stuffed shells baked with melted cheese
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★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

Creamy, cheesy pasta shells stuffed with seasoned beef and ricotta.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 20 jumbo pasta shells
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
  • 15 oz (425 g) ricotta cheese (whole milk preferred)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • ½ tsp garlic powder (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp cream cheese or heavy cream (optional, for added creaminess)
  • Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  • Cook the jumbo pasta shells in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  • In a skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned. Add garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Stir well and remove from heat.
  • In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, cooked beef, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, and optional cream cheese. Mix until fully incorporated.
  • Spread a layer of marinara sauce in the bottom of the baking dish.
  • Fill each shell with the ricotta-beef mixture and arrange them in the dish.
  • Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the top and sprinkle with extra mozzarella and Parmesan.
  • Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes.
  • Broil for 2–3 minutes if you want a golden, bubbly top.
  • Let rest for 5–10 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.

Notes

  • Make it ahead: Assemble and refrigerate up to 24 hours in advance.
  • Freezer-friendly: Freeze unbaked or baked shells for up to 2 months.
  • Vegetarian version: Replace beef with sautéed spinach and mushrooms.
  • Add a pinch of nutmeg to the ricotta mix for authentic Italian depth.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffed shells, ricotta stuffed pasta, baked pasta, ground beef pasta, beef ricotta shells, Italian dinner, cheesy pasta bake, comfort food, freezer meal, make-ahead pasta

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