Description
A baked pasta dish featuring large pasta shells filled with a ricotta and meat mixture, topped with sauce and cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box jumbo pasta shells
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Cook pasta shells according to package directions until al dente; drain and rinse with cold water.
- In a skillet, cook the ground meat until browned; drain off any fat.
- In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Stir the cooked meat into the ricotta mixture.
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
- Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Stuff each cooked shell with the meat and cheese filling.
- Arrange the filled shells in the baking dish.
- Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the shells.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or a mixture of meats for the beef.
- For a vegetarian option, omit the meat and add 1 cup of cooked, chopped spinach to the cheese filling.
- Allow the dish to rest for 10 minutes before serving for easier portioning.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 shells
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 750
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Unsaturated Fat: 12
- Trans Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 25
- Cholesterol: 80
Keywords: Italian Stuffed Shells, Baked Pasta, Ricotta Filling, Meat Sauce, Comfort Food, Casserole