Tender Beef-Stuffed Shells With Creamy Ricotta Filling Recipe

Hearty beef-stuffed shells dance with a creamy ricotta filling that promises pure comfort.

Tender pasta pockets cradle a savory meat mixture bursting with rich flavors.

Cheese melts luxuriously around each carefully crafted shell, creating a mouthwatering centerpiece.

Mediterranean culinary traditions inspire this delightful dish that feels both familiar and exciting.

Layers of robust ground beef intermingle with smooth, velvety ricotta for a perfect balance.

Simple ingredients come together to craft an irresistible meal that speaks directly to your hunger.

Switch Up This Stuffed Shells Easily

• Vegetarian Veggie Blast: Replace ground beef with a mix of sautéed zucchini, spinach, and mushrooms, creating a nutrient-packed vegetarian version that keeps the creamy ricotta essence.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Add crumbled feta cheese, chopped kalamata olives, and fresh oregano to the ricotta mixture, transforming the dish with authentic Mediterranean flavors.
• Spicy Southwest Shells: Incorporate diced jalapeños, ground cumin, and swap marinara for a spicy salsa, then top with pepper jack cheese for a zesty southwestern kick.
• Chicken Alfredo Shells: Substitute ground beef with shredded rotisserie chicken and replace marinara sauce with homemade alfredo, creating a rich and creamy alternative that feels luxurious.

Pasta Pairings That Go With Ricotta Shells

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Select a robust Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the rich beef and tomato sauce, enhancing the meal's deep flavors.
• Create Fresh Green Salad: Toss a crisp arugula salad with balsamic vinaigrette to balance the hearty pasta dish, adding a light and tangy contrast to the creamy shells.
• Serve Garlic Herb Bread: Prepare crusty Italian bread brushed with garlic and herbs to soak up the delicious marinara sauce and provide a crunchy texture alongside the soft pasta.
• Complement with Roasted Vegetables: Prepare Mediterranean-style roasted zucchini and bell peppers seasoned with olive oil and herbs to add color and nutritional balance to the main course.

Store These Stuffed Shells Without Drying Them

Store leftover beef-stuffed shells in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Consume within 3-4 days for optimal taste and safety.

Wrap individual portions or the entire dish tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label with the date to track freshness.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Preheat oven to 350F, cover with foil, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Add a splash of marinara sauce to prevent drying.

Place individual serving on a microwave-safe plate. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming. Stop when the internal temperature reaches 165F.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of ground meat?

Yes! Ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based meat alternatives work great as substitutes for ground beef in this recipe.

• Is this recipe freezer-friendly?

Absolutely. You can prepare the stuffed shells, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months before baking. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before cooking.

• How can I make this recipe lighter?

Use lean ground beef, part-skim ricotta cheese, and reduce the amount of mozzarella to cut down on calories and fat while maintaining delicious flavor.

• What if I don't have Italian seasoning?

Create your own blend using dried oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary, or simply use a combination of dried herbs you have on hand.

Why You’ll Love These Cheesy Stuffed Shells

• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Dive into a hearty dish that brings everyone together with its rich, satisfying flavors and cheesy goodness.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ground beef for turkey or add extra veggies to make this recipe perfectly suited to your family's taste preferences.
• Simple Weeknight Winner: Create a restaurant-quality meal with minimal prep work and basic ingredients that are typically already in your kitchen.
• Family-Friendly Feast: Kids and adults will love the combination of tender pasta shells, creamy cheese, and savory beef sauce that makes this dish a total crowd-pleaser.

Ingredient Breakdown for Beef-Stuffed Pasta Shells

• Jumbo Pasta Shells: Large shells perfect for stuffing with rich fillings.

• Ground Beef: Provides hearty flavor and substantial meat component for the dish.

• Ricotta Cheese: Creamy base that creates a smooth and rich stuffing mixture.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully to create a gooey, stretchy topping.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, salty depth to the overall cheese layer.

• Marinara Sauce: Classic tomato sauce that adds moisture and traditional Italian flavor.
• Egg: Helps bind the ricotta cheese mixture together.
• Italian Seasoning: Blend of herbs that enhances the overall taste profile.

• Salt, Pepper: Standard seasonings that balance and elevate the dish's flavors.

How to Make These Cheesy Shells Step-by-Step

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Pasta

Crank up your oven to a toasty 375°F. Grab your pasta shells and cook them according to the package directions.

Once done, drain the shells and let them cool down for a few moments.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

Heat up a skillet over medium flame.

Toss in the ground beef and cook until it’s beautifully browned. Drain away any extra fat, then mix in the marinara sauce.

Take the skillet off the heat.

Step 3: Whip Up the Creamy Ricotta Filling

• Ricotta cheese
• Egg
• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Pepper

Blend everything until you’ve got a smooth, dreamy mixture.

Step 4: Stuff the Shells

Carefully fill each pasta shell with the ricotta mixture. Arrange the stuffed shells in a baking dish, creating a cozy little pasta landscape.

Step 5: Layer with Beef and Cheese

• Mozzarella cheese
• Grated Parmesan cheese

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Cover the dish with foil and slide it into the oven.

Bake for 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling with deliciousness.

Step 7: Serve and Savor

Pull out your masterpiece and serve piping hot. Get ready for a mouthwatering meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds!

Tips for Perfectly Creamy Ricotta Shells

• Rinse shells under cold water immediately after cooking to stop the cooking process and prevent them from sticking together.
• Whisk ricotta mixture thoroughly to ensure a smooth, creamy texture without lumps for a more consistent filling.
• Cover the baking dish tightly with foil to lock in moisture and keep the shells from becoming too dry during baking.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or fresh chopped basil to the beef mixture for an extra layer of complexity and zest.
• Store and reheat shells in the oven at 350F for best texture, avoiding microwave to maintain the cheese's creamy consistency.

Beef-Stuffed Shells With Creamy Ricotta Filling Recipe

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4.8 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comforting beef-stuffed shells with creamy ricotta filling bring Italian-American cuisine to your dinner table. Melted cheese, rich meat, and delicate pasta create a hearty meal that satisfies with each savory bite you’ll enjoy.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1 pounds (454 grams) ground beef

Cheese:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) ricotta cheese
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) Parmesan cheese, grated

Pasta and Other Ingredients:

• 12 jumbo pasta shells
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) marinara sauce
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven at 375F (190C) and cook pasta shells until al dente, then drain and set aside to cool slightly.
2. Sauté ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until thoroughly browned, eliminating excess fat, then incorporate marinara sauce and remove from heat.
3. Create a creamy ricotta filling by whisking ricotta cheese with egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until uniformly blended.
4. Carefully fill each cooled pasta shell with the prepared ricotta mixture, arranging them systematically in a baking dish.
5. Distribute the seasoned beef and marinara sauce evenly across the stuffed shells, ensuring complete coverage.
6. Generously top the shells with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, creating a comprehensive cheese layer.
7. Shield the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes, then uncover and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until cheese transforms into a golden, effervescent crust.
8. Allow the dish to rest momentarily before serving to enhance flavor integration and structural stability.

Notes

• Use large pasta shells to ensure easy stuffing and optimal cheese-to-meat ratio.
• Drain beef thoroughly to prevent excess grease making the dish soggy and heavy.
• Consider mixing ground beef with Italian sausage for deeper, more complex flavor profile.
• Experiment with low-fat ricotta and part-skim mozzarella for a lighter, healthier version of the dish.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 475 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 620 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg