3 Cheese Beef Stuffed Shells
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this irresistible 3 Cheese Beef Stuffed Shells recipe! Perfectly cooked jumbo pasta shells are generously filled with a savory blend of seasoned ground beef, creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and nutty Parmesan, creating a hearty and flavorful dish that's baked to golden perfection. With layers of rich marinara sauce and a bubbly cheese topping, this crowd-pleasing meal is ideal for weeknight dinners or special occasions. Ready in just an hour, it’s easy to prepare yet tastes like a labor of love. Serve these cheesy stuffed shells with a crisp green salad and garlic bread for a complete, satisfying meal that will have everyone asking for seconds! Keywords: 3 cheese beef stuffed shells, comfort food, pasta dinner, stuffed pasta recipe, family-friendly meal.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 20 pieces Jumbo pasta shells
- 1 pound Ground beef
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 medium Onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 cup Ricotta cheese
- 2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 large Egg
- 1 teaspoon Dried Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 3 cups Marinara sauce
- 0.25 cup Water
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the jumbo pasta shells and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute.
Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon or spatula. Cook until fully browned and no longer pink, about 6–8 minutes. Drain any excess fat. Stir in 1 cup of marinara sauce. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly.
In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, egg, Italian seasoning, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
Once the ground beef and marinara mixture has cooled, fold it into the cheese mixture until evenly combined.
Spread 1.5 cups of marinara sauce evenly across the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Stuff each cooked pasta shell with about 1.5–2 tablespoons of the cheese and beef filling. Place the stuffed shells in the prepared baking dish, open side up.
Pour the remaining 1.5 cups of marinara sauce over the stuffed shells. Add 1/4 cup of water by gently pouring it around the edges of the dish to prevent the sauce from drying out as it bakes.
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the shells.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3156 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 226.7 g | 291% | |
| Saturated Fat | 100.7 g | 504% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 927 mg | 309% | |
| Sodium | 6699 mg | 291% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 91.6 g | 33% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 10.1 g | 36% | |
| Total Sugars | 25.4 g | ||
| Protein | 203.7 g | 407% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.3 mcg | 7% | |
| Calcium | 3695 mg | 284% | |
| Iron | 14.3 mg | 79% | |
| Potassium | 1894 mg | 40% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
