Meatball Stuffed Shells
Transform your weeknight dinners with these irresistible Meatball Stuffed Shells—an indulgent twist on classic comfort food. This recipe combines tender jumbo pasta shells stuffed with juicy homemade meatballs made from a flavorful blend of ground beef, Italian sausage, Parmesan cheese, and aromatic seasonings. Smothered in rich marinara sauce and topped with a blanket of gooey, melted mozzarella cheese, these baked pasta shells are pure perfection. Ready in just over an hour, this hearty dish is perfect for feeding a hungry crowd or meal-prepping leftovers. Serve with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a pop of color and flavor—this family-friendly dinner is sure to become a new favorite! Perfect keywords: baked pasta recipe, meatball stuffed shells, family dinner ideas, comfort food classic.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 20 pieces Jumbo pasta shells
- 1 pound Ground beef
- 0.5 pound Italian sausage
- 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs
- 0.25 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large Egg
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 3 cups Marinara sauce
- 2 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the jumbo pasta shells for 1-2 minutes less than the package instructions. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or oil.
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, Italian sausage, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, dried Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
Using your hands, shape the meat mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter. You should have 20 meatballs, one for each pasta shell.
Gently stuff each cooked shell with one meatball and place the stuffed shells seam-side up in the prepared baking dish.
Pour the marinara sauce evenly over the stuffed shells, ensuring each shell is coated. Use a spatula or spoon to spread the sauce if necessary.
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the shells and sauce.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
Remove the baking dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, if desired, and serve hot!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
591 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 37.7 g | 48% | |
| Saturated Fat | 15.6 g | 78% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 142 mg | 47% | |
| Sodium | 1207 mg | 52% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 25.3 g | 9% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.9 g | 7% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.1 g | ||
| Protein | 35.6 g | 71% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.7 mcg | 3% | |
| Calcium | 354 mg | 27% | |
| Iron | 3.4 mg | 19% | |
| Potassium | 328 mg | 7% | |
*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.
