Print

Easy Cheesy Ground Beef Stuffed Shells Bake

Close-up of baked Cheesy Ground Beef Stuffed Shells Easy Bake covered in melted mozzarella and marinara sauce in a cast iron skillet.
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Prepare a simple, satisfying ground beef and cheese stuffed shells casserole that is perfect for a weeknight family dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces jumbo pasta shells
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the pasta shells according to package directions until al dente. Drain the shells and set them aside.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  4. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  5. Stir the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into the beef mixture. Simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
  6. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, and Parmesan cheese. Mix well.
  7. Gently fold 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese into the ricotta mixture.
  8. Carefully stuff each cooked shell with the ricotta-cheese mixture.
  9. Spread about 1 cup of the meat sauce mixture evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
  10. Arrange the stuffed shells in a single layer over the sauce in the dish.
  11. Spoon the remaining meat sauce evenly over the tops of the stuffed shells.
  12. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top layer of sauce.
  13. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted and lightly golden brown. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • You can make this dish ahead of time. Assemble the shells completely, cover the dish tightly with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add 10-15 minutes to the baking time if baking directly from the refrigerator.
  • For a freezer-friendly option, assemble the dish in a foil pan, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking, or bake from frozen at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 60 minutes, checking for doneness.
  • Use your favorite jarred pasta sauce to save preparation time.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://tastytipster.com/cheesy-ground-beef-stuffed-shells-easy-bake/