Creamy Ricotta Beef Stuffed Shells Pasta
A comforting dish featuring jumbo pasta shells stuffed with a rich mixture of ground beef, creamy ricotta, and topped with marinara sauce and melty cheese, perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
For the Filling
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese for filling
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 20 pieces jumbo pasta shells, cooked and drained
For the Sauce
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese for topping
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and brown it, breaking it into small pieces. Drain any excess fat and add minced garlic, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
- Remove the skillet from heat and let it cool slightly.
- In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, 1/2 cup of Parmesan, the egg, chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper. Stir in the cooled beef mixture until well combined.
Assembly
- Stuff each jumbo shell with the beef and cheese mixture and place them in the prepared baking dish.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the marinara sauce and heavy cream, then pour over the stuffed shells, ensuring they're evenly coated.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese on top and cover the dish with foil.
Baking
- Bake for 25 minutes covered, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Let the dish cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Add red pepper flakes to the sauce for a kick. Consider mixing spinach or mushrooms into the filling for extra flavor. Sauté garlic with onions for a deeper flavor.