Stuffed Shells with Meat: A Delicious and Hearty Pasta Recipe

This Cheesy Stuffed Shells with Meat recipe is delightful and straightforward. It features ground beef and is the perfect one-pan meal that your entire family will love! The best part? You can make it ahead of time and freeze it, making it a great choice for those busy evenings when you want to avoid cooking.

If you haven’t made stuffed shells before, they may seem a bit daunting. However, these cheesy stuffed shells filled with ground beef are actually quite simple to assemble, and the bonus is that you can prepare them in advance for those rushed nights.

Three Reasons You Will Adore These Beef-Stuffed Shells

Comforting Family Meal – Stuffed Shells with Meat are an excellent option for creating a cozy family gathering or holiday celebration. While traditional stuffed shells often contain just cheese and/or spinach, these variations are made heartier with beef, but still remain easy to prepare.

Ideal for Large Gatherings – This dish is highly versatile and can be easily adjusted to serve a larger group. Stuffed shells are a hit with crowds, and since you can prep everything in advance, it makes for a hassle-free dish to bring to a potluck or celebration.

Effortless Meal Prep – This is a superb dish for a big Sunday dinner, or you can whip it up over the weekend for quick weeknight meals. Batches of Italian stuffed shells freeze beautifully and can be baked directly from the freezer.

Ingredients You’ll Need for This Recipe

Pasta:

• 20-24 pieces jumbo pasta shells
• 1 teaspoon salt

Meat:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 pound ground beef, 80/20 works well
• ½ teaspoon salt

Stuffing and Topping:

• 2 large eggs
• 15 ounces ricotta cheese
• ¼ cup parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese
• 24 ounces of your favorite marinara sauce

How to Prepare Stuffed Shells with Meat

Cook the Pasta:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2. Spread a cup of marinara sauce evenly across the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.
3. In a large pot, fill with water, add salt, and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add the shells and cook for roughly 9 minutes. They should be slightly pliable but not overly soft. Drain the shells in a colander and set aside to cool.

Cook the Beef:

1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for a minute or two until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
2. Add the ground beef to the skillet. Use a wooden spoon to break it apart and season with salt. Stir continuously until the meat is fully cooked and no longer pink. Drain excess grease and set aside.

Prepare the Filling and Assemble the Shells:

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, ricotta, parmesan, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until thoroughly combined.
2. Fill each cooked shell with a mixture of cheese and ground beef, ensuring an even distribution. Arrange the filled shells in rows over the marinara sauce in the baking dish.
3. Dollop the remaining marinara sauce over each stuffed shell. Generously sprinkle cheese on top, then cover the dish with aluminum foil.
4. Bake for about 20-25 minutes until heated through and the cheese is melted. Serve and Enjoy!

You might also line this Tomato Feta Pasta Dinner recipe.