This stuffed pasta shells with meat and ricotta is a crowd pleaser! This comfort food classic is made with a rich ricotta filling and a hearty meat sauce. Easy enough for busy weeknights.
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If you need a delicious dinner that ticks the ultimate comfort food box, then you have to try this stuffed pasta shells with meat recipe! It's easy to prepare on a weeknight, and it's elegant enough to serve company on the weekend!
Add a side salad and some homemade garlic bread to complete this hearty meal the whole family will love.
Try my Baked Ravioli with Ground Beef and Ricotta next!
Ingredients
This is an overview of the recipe. Please see printable recipe card for exact amounts.
Jumbo pasta shells - very important to get the jumbo size since we'll be stuffing them.
Olive oil - or some non-stick cooking spray.
Ground beef - ground turkey, ground chicken, Italian sausage or mixture will also work. We like lean ground beef that's 93% lean.
Onions and garlic - adds to the flavor of the tomato sauce
Spaghetti sauce - use a pasta sauce you really like, or try this homemade slow cooker meat sauce.
Ricotta cheese - I used the low fat version, but full fat will have the most flavor. Both work great. Cottage cheese is a common substitute, or you can try mixing ricotta and cottage cheese.
Egg - helps keep the cheese together when stuffed in the shell and adds some moisture when baking. Can be omitted if desired.
Pesto - I use a store bought version. Keep in mind that pesto uses pine nuts, so if you are making food for someone with a nut allergy, you might want to skip this and use chopped fresh basil instead.
Shredded or grated parmesan cheese - for the filling.
Shredded mozzarella cheese - for the filling. Provolone is another good option. You can use different types of cheese, just as long as it melts well.
Dried oregano, garlic power, salt and black pepper - Italian seasoning can be subbed.
Fresh herbs like chopped fresh Italian parsley or basil for garnish.
Directions
1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2) Set a large pot of water to boil. You'll need about 16-20 pasta shells. I like to discard any broken pieces and just cook the ones that are intact. Once the water is boiling, add some salt and cook the shells for about 10 minutes. Drain and rinse.
3) To make the sauce: brown the ground beef with onions and garlic. Season with salt and pepper, and garlic powder. Drain off any excess grease then add the marinara sauce and let simmer on low heat while you make the filling.
4) To make the filling: add the ricotta cheese, egg, pesto, shredded or grated parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, garlic powder, dried oregano, and salt and pepper to a large bowl. Mix well until the cheese mixture is well combined.
5) To assemble: Add about 2 cups of the prepared meat sauce to the bottom of a greased baking dish that's 9x13 inches. Stuff each pasta shell with about 1 tablespoon of the ricotta mixture. Place the shells in the pan in a single layer.
6) Top the stuffed shells with the remaining sauce and the remaining cheese.
7) Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Uncover and bake until lightly browned, about 5-10 minutes.
Tips
This stuffed pasta shells with meat recipe is a great meal to make ahead if you like to meal prep. You can make the whole dish (don't bake it), cover it tightly and leave it in the refrigerator for 24 hours before needed. Bake as directed.
Mix things up by using a combination of meat sauce and white sauce. I like to use the red sauce on the bottom of the pan and the white sauce on the top. Give it a try!
How to store
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Freeze in freezer safe containers for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat until hot.
Reheat in the microwave at 50% power until heated through.
More easy ground beef recipes
- Instant Pot Lasagna Soup
- Easy Homemade Beefaroni
- American Chop Suey
- Baked Spaghetti Casserole
- Tortellini Soup
📖 Recipe
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Stuffed Pasta Shells (with Meat and Ricotta)
Ingredients
- 16-20 Jumbo pasta shells
For the sauce:
- 1 teaspoon olive oil cooking spray
- 1 lb ground beef ground turkey, ground chicken, Italian sausage
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 2 teaspoon minced garlic
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 32 oz marinara sauce jarred or homemade
For the filling:
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup pesto sauce jarred or homemade
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese grated or shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the top of the shells:
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese grated or shredded
- fresh herbs optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Set a large pot of water to boil. You'll need about 16-20 pasta shells. I like to discard any broken pieces and just cook the ones that are intact. Once the water is boiling, add some salt and cook the shells for about 10 minutes. Drain and rinse.
To make the sauce:
- Brown the ground beef with onions and garlic. Season with salt and pepper, and garlic powder. Drain off any excess grease then add the marinara sauce, dried oregano and let simmer on low heat while you make the filling.
To make the filling:
- Add the ricotta cheese, egg, pesto, shredded or grated parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, garlic powder, dried oregano, and salt and pepper to a large bowl. Mix well until the cheese mixture is well combined.
To assemble:
- Add about 2 cups of the prepared meat sauce to the bottom of a greased baking dish that's 9x13 inches. Stuff each pasta shell with about 1 tablespoon of the ricotta mixture. Place the shells in the pan in a single layer.
- Top the stuffed shells with the remaining sauce, one cup shredded mozzarella, and ¼ cup parmesan.
- Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Uncover and bake until lightly browned, about 5-10 minutes.
Notes
MIx things up by using a combination of meat sauce and white sauce. I like to use the red sauce on the bottom of the pan and the white sauce on the top. Give it a try!
Mom
Love the spaghetti sauce short cut!