Cheesy Stuffed Jumbo Shells
Delicious jumbo pasta shells filled with a creamy cheese mixture and savory ground beef, baked in marinara sauce, making them perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Pasta and Meat Base
- 12 ounces jumbo pasta shells
- 1 pound ground beef Can substitute with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternative.
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
Cheese Filling
- 20 ounces ricotta cheese Can use lactose-free or plant-based options.
- 1 large egg
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- to taste Dried parsley for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Gather all your ingredients. Chop the onion and measure out the spices.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the jumbo shells according to package instructions until they are al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain and let cool slightly.
Cooking the Base
- Heat a 12-inch oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onion. Season with salt, black pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Cook until the beef is browned, about 7-8 minutes.
- Drain excess grease from the skillet. Stir in minced garlic, cooking for another 30 seconds.
- Pour in the marinara sauce over the beef mixture and simmer on low heat.
Preparing Cheese Filling
- In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and dried parsley. Mix until smooth and well combined.
Filling and Baking
- Fill each cooled jumbo shell with about 1.5 to 2 spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture.
- Nestle the filled shells into the meat sauce in the skillet with the opening side facing up.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the arranged shells.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Bake for 25 minutes, uncovered for crispy edges. Remove when cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with dried parsley.
Notes
These shells can be assembled in advance and stored until ready to bake. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free jumbo shells.