Beef-Stuffed Shells with Creamy Ricotta Filling Recipe

Have you ever craved a hearty beef-stuffed shells dish that makes dinner feel like a warm embrace?

Pasta shells create the perfect vessel for rich, seasoned ground beef tucked inside delicate folds.

Creamy ricotta adds unexpected luxury to this classic comfort meal.

Melted cheese blankets each shell, promising deep satisfaction with every single bite.

Mediterranean influences shine through the robust ingredients and careful preparation techniques.

Herbs and spices dance across the surface, inviting you to savor each carefully crafted morsel.

Why Beef-Stuffed Shells with Ricotta Always Satisfy

• Transform an ordinary meal into a restaurant-quality experience with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
• Delight family and friends with a hearty, cheesy dish that combines classic Italian-American flavors in every single bite.
• Whip up this delicious recipe in under an hour, making it perfect for busy households craving a satisfying home-cooked meal.
• Easily adapt the recipe by switching ground beef for turkey, adding different herbs, or incorporating extra vegetables to suit personal taste preferences.

Everything You’ll Need for This Comforting Pasta Bake

• Jumbo Shells: Large pasta shells perfect for stuffing, ideal for holding creamy beef filling.

• Ground Beef: Rich and hearty protein that adds robust flavor to the dish.

• Ricotta Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Creamy and tangy cheeses that provide smooth texture and depth of flavor.
• Egg: Helps bind the cheese mixture and creates a cohesive filling.

• Garlic, Onion: Classic flavor boosters that enhance the overall taste of the beef.
• Basil, Oregano: Herbs that add Mediterranean-style seasoning and complexity.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing flavors.

• Marinara Sauce: Classic Italian tomato sauce that adds moisture and traditional taste.

• Aluminum Foil: Used for covering the dish during baking to prevent excessive browning.

How to Make These, Meaty Shells at Home

Step 1: Boil Pasta Shells

Cook jumbo pasta shells in salted water until tender. Drain and let cool on a clean kitchen towel.

Step 2: Brown Ground Beef

• Minced garlic
• Diced onions
• Dried basil
• Dried oregano
• Salt
• Black pepper

Drain excess fat and set aside to cool slightly.

Step 3: Create Cheese Mixture

• Ricotta cheese
• Egg
• Shredded mozzarella
• Grated Parmesan
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir until smooth and creamy. Fold in cooked ground beef.

Step 4: Fill Pasta Shells

Carefully spoon beef-cheese mixture into each pasta shell. Press gently to ensure full filling.

Step 5: Prepare Baking Dish

Spread marinara sauce across bottom of baking dish. Arrange stuffed shells on top of sauce.

Step 6: Add Final Touches

Pour remaining marinara sauce over shells. Sprinkle additional mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.

Step 7: Bake Pasta

Cover dish with aluminum foil. Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes until cheese melts and edges bubble.

Step 8: Serve Warm

Remove from oven. Let cool for 5 minutes. Serve hot with fresh basil garnish if desired.

Pro Tips for Filling and Baking to Perfection

• Boost Shell Texture: Cook jumbo shells just until al dente to prevent them from becoming mushy during baking, ensuring a perfect pasta consistency.
• Maximize Meat Flavor: Season ground beef with fresh herbs like basil and oregano while cooking to enhance the overall taste profile of the dish.
• Perfect Cheese Blend: Mix different cheese varieties like ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan for a richer, more complex filling that adds depth to each bite.
• Control Moisture Level: Drain excess fat from browned beef and avoid overfilling shells to prevent a watery or soggy final dish.
• Customize for Dietary Needs: Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for a lighter or vegetarian version of the recipe.

Storing and Reheating Stuffed Shells Like a Pro

• Store leftover beef-stuffed shells in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Wrap individual portions or the entire dish tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months to preserve flavor and texture.
• Preheat oven to 350F, remove shells from refrigerator, place in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through.
• Place shells on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.

What Sides Go With This Italian Favorite

• Choose a robust Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the rich beef and creamy cheese flavors, cutting through the dish's heaviness with its tannic structure.
• Create a light, peppery side salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to balance the rich, meaty pasta shells and provide a crisp contrast to the creamy texture.
• Bake a warm, crusty Italian bread sprinkled with rosemary and sea salt to soak up the delicious marinara sauce and add a delightful textural element to the meal.
• For white wine lovers, select a chilled Pinot Grigio to offer a refreshing counterpoint to the hearty beef and cheese, cleansing the palate between bites.

Pasta Twists That Make It Your Own

• Vegetarian Shells: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or chopped mushrooms for a meat-free version. Add lentils or quinoa for extra protein and texture.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free jumbo pasta shells or substitute with zucchini boats. Ensure all ingredients like marinara sauce are certified gluten-free.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Swap pasta shells with roasted bell pepper halves or large cabbage leaves. Use lean ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter protein option.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute ricotta with cashew cream or tofu-based ricotta. Use dairy-free mozzarella and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese. Choose plant-based milk for binding.

Beef-Stuffed Shells With Creamy Ricotta Filling Recipe

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4.8 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent beef-stuffed shells with creamy ricotta filling bring Italian comfort to your dinner table. Cheesy, hearty pasta pockets deliver rich flavors that comfort and delight, making you crave another bite of this irresistible classic.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta and Shells:

• 20–24 jumbo pasta shells

Meat and Protein:

• 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
• 1 large egg

Cheese Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (1 cup for filling, ½ cup for topping)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon (1 tbsp) fresh basil, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried basil)
• 1 tablespoon (1 tbsp) fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried parsley)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Sauce:

• 2 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)

Garnish (Optional):

• Fresh basil or parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Boil jumbo pasta shells in salted water until tender yet firm, then carefully drain and spread on a clean kitchen towel to prevent sticking and cool evenly.
2. Sauté ground beef in a large skillet, breaking meat into fine crumbles. Incorporate minced garlic, diced onions, and aromatic herbs like basil and oregano, cooking until meat is completely browned and fragrant.
3. Create ricotta mixture by whisking together smooth ricotta cheese, beaten egg, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, salt, and black pepper until uniformly blended. Fold the seasoned cooked beef into the creamy cheese mixture.
4. Generously fill each cooled pasta shell with the beef-ricotta blend, ensuring each shell is packed completely without tearing the delicate pasta.
5. Prepare baking dish by spreading a thin layer of marinara sauce across the bottom, creating a protective base for the stuffed shells.
6. Arrange filled shells neatly in the sauced baking dish, nestling them close together. Drench shells with remaining marinara sauce, then liberally sprinkle additional mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
7. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to retain moisture and prevent excessive browning. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for approximately 25 minutes.
8. Remove foil during the final 5 minutes of baking to allow cheese to develop a golden, bubbling crust. Let the dish rest briefly before serving to allow flavors to settle and filling to set.

Notes

• Perfectly cook shells by boiling just until al dente to prevent them from becoming mushy during baking.
• Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and create a cleaner, more refined filling texture.
• Make the dish gluten-free by substituting regular pasta shells with gluten-free jumbo shells available in specialty stores.
• Customize the recipe by experimenting with different ground meats like turkey or plant-based alternatives for diverse dietary preferences.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 590
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 54 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 130 mg