Easy Beef Stuffed Shells – A Cheesy, Family-Friendly Classic
Jumbo pasta shells stuffed with a savory beef and cheese filling, baked in marinara sauce and topped with melty mozzarella — an easy, comforting dinner classic.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
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20–25 jumbo pasta shells
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1 lb ground beef
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2 garlic cloves, minced
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1 tsp Italian seasoning
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15 oz ricotta cheese
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1 egg
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1½ cups shredded mozzarella, divided
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¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
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2 cups marinara sauce
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1 small onion, diced (optional)
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Salt and pepper to taste
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1 tbsp chopped parsley or basil (optional)
Instructions
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Boil pasta shells until al dente. Drain and rinse with cool water.
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In a skillet, brown ground beef with garlic and Italian seasoning. Let cool.
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In a bowl, mix ricotta, egg, 1 cup mozzarella, parmesan, and herbs. Stir in beef.
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Preheat oven to 375°F. Spread 1 cup marinara in a 9×13 dish.
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Stuff each shell with beef mixture and place in the dish. Top with remaining sauce and cheese.
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Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes. Uncover and bake 10 more until bubbly.
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Rest 5–10 minutes before serving.
Notes
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Add spinach or mushrooms to the filling for variation.
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Freeze before or after baking for easy future meals.
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Great with garlic bread and salad.