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Stuffed Shells with Ground Beef Recipe - Comfort Food

Stuffed Shells with Ground Beef Recipe – Comfort Food

Description

Welcome to a world of comfort food bliss with our Stuffed Shells with Ground Beef Recipe! If you’re searching for a satisfying, family-friendly dish that combines creamy ricotta cheese, flavorful spinach, and savory ground beef marinara sauce, you’re in the right place. This recipe is a great make-ahead option and can be frozen for busy weeknights. Gather around for a cozy meal that everyone will enjoy!

Ingredients

Scale

 

  • 27 jumbo pasta shells
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, divided
  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 28 ounces marinara sauce
  • 1 (15-ounce) container part-skim ricotta cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 1 (16-ounce) package frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed well
  • 2 cups part-skim shredded Italian cheese blend or shredded mozzarella, divided
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, divided
  • Chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s ready for baking.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the jumbo pasta shells for about 2–3 minutes less than the package directions to avoid overcooking. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process, then set aside.

Step 3: Sauté the Onion and Garlic

In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil. Sauté the chopped onion with ¼ teaspoon salt until translucent, which takes about 3–5 minutes. Add the chopped garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring frequently.

Step 4: Cook the Ground Beef

Add the ground beef to the skillet with another ¼ teaspoon salt. Break it up into smaller pieces as it cooks, until browned and fully cooked, about 5–7 minutes. If there’s excess fat, drain it out for a lighter sauce.

Step 5: Prepare the Marinara Sauce

Add the marinara sauce to the skillet with the beef, stirring until well combined. Let it simmer on low heat for 5 minutes, then remove from heat and set aside.

Step 6: Make the Ricotta Mixture

In a large bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, egg, thawed and squeezed spinach, 1 cup of the Italian cheese blend, ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese, and the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt. Stir until everything is well blended.

Step 7: Fill the Shells

Take a cooked shell and stuff it with about 2 heaping tablespoons of the ricotta-spinach mixture. Repeat this for all the shells.

Step 8: Assemble the Dish

In a large baking dish, spread half of the beef marinara sauce on the bottom. Arrange the filled shells on top, and then cover them with the remaining beef marinara sauce. Sprinkle with the remaining Italian cheese blend and Parmesan.

Step 9: Bake the Stuffed Shells

Cover the dish with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Then, uncover and bake for an additional 5–10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 10: Serve and Garnish

Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and enjoy your delicious Stuffed Shells with Ground Beef!

Equipment

Notes

  • Tip for tender shells: Undercook the pasta slightly since it will continue cooking in the oven.
  • Ricotta texture: Use a part-skim ricotta for a creamy but less dense filling.
  • Sauce richness: Add a pinch of sugar to the marinara sauce if it’s too acidic, or a splash of red wine for depth of flavor.

Find it online: https://optimalrecipes.com/stuffed-shells-with-ground-beef-recipe-comfort-food/