Description
Ricotta beef stuffed shells pasta delivers a hearty Italian-American comfort dish packed with rich flavors. Generous portions of seasoned ground beef, creamy ricotta, and melted cheese create a satisfying meal you’ll crave repeatedly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
- 20–24 jumbo pasta shells
- 3 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) ricotta cheese
- 1 cup (240 ml) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup (240 ml) shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
- ½ cup (120 ml) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps fresh parsley or basil, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water and cook jumbo shells until al dente. Drain and lightly coat with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Meat Infusion: Sauté ground beef in a skillet, breaking into crumbles. Integrate herbs and seasonings, developing robust flavor profile. Drain excess fat to ensure lean mixture.
- Cheese Fusion: Combine ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, and egg into a creamy blend. Incorporate seasoned beef, creating a harmonious filling that marries protein and dairy elements.
- Assembly Technique: Preheat oven to 375°F. Meticulously stuff pasta shells with ricotta-beef mixture, arranging them strategically in a baking dish.
- Sauce Transformation: Elevate marinara by whisking in heavy cream, creating a silky, luxurious sauce. Generously drape sauce over stuffed shells, ensuring complete coverage.
- Baking Process: Cover with foil and roast for 25-30 minutes until heated through. Uncover, sprinkle additional mozzarella, and bake an extra 5 minutes to achieve golden, bubbling perfection.
- Final Touch: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately, presenting a visually appealing and aromatic culinary creation.
Notes
- Prevent Shell Sticking: Toss cooked shells with olive oil and separate immediately to stop them from clumping together, ensuring easy filling and neat presentation.
- Beef Browning Technique: Cook ground beef on medium-high heat, breaking into small crumbles for even cooking and maximum flavor development without burning.
- Cheese Mixture Consistency: Mix cheese ingredients thoroughly but gently to maintain a smooth texture without overworking, which can make the filling dense and tough.
- Sauce Balance: Whisk cream into marinara slowly and consistently to create a silky, even sauce that coats shells perfectly without separating or becoming too runny.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg