Hearty Baked Stuffed Shells That Will Warm Your Heart

Cheesy Baked Stuffed Shells are a comforting Italian dish that blends flavors and textures to satisfy everyone at the table.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 45

Total Time 1

Servings: 6 shells

Course: Lunch

Cuisine: Italian

Calories: 350

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

For the Shells

12 shells Jumbo Pasta Shells Manicotti can be a substitute.
1 tablespoon Olive Oil Any cooking oil can be used.

For the Meat Sauce

1 small Onion Chopped; shallots can replace for a milder flavor.
3 cloves Garlic Minced; fresh or powdered garlic can be used.
0.5 pound Ground Beef Ground turkey can be substituted.
24 ounces Pasta Sauce A good marinara or homemade sauce like Rao's will elevate the taste.

For the Cheese Filling

15 ounces Ricotta Cheese Cottage cheese (pureed) can be used as a substitute.
2 cups Shredded Mozzarella Divided; mix with provolone for more flavor.
0.5 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese Can be adjusted or omitted.
1 large Egg Acts as a binder; no substitute is recommended.
2 tablespoons Dried Parsley Fresh parsley or basil will work beautifully too.

Equipment

9x13-inch Baking Dish
large pot
Skillet
Mixing Bowl

Method

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking dish with cooking spray.
Cook the jumbo pasta shells in boiling salted water until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and cool.
Sauté chopped onion and minced garlic in olive oil for about 3 minutes until fragrant.
Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned (5-7 minutes). Then add pasta sauce and simmer.
In a mixing bowl, beat the egg and incorporate ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, parmesan, and parsley.
Spread one-third of the meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish, then stuff each shell with the cheese filling.
Pour the remaining meat sauce over the stuffed shells and cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes.
Remove the foil, sprinkle remaining mozzarella on top, and bake uncovered for another 5-10 minutes until melted.

Nutrition

Serving: 1shellCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 25gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 3mg

Notes

For best results, do not overcook pasta and consider adding Italian herbs for extra flavor depth. Assemble shells ahead and refrigerate for quick baking later.

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