Cheesy Beef St￭ Shells are a delightful dish that brings together the comforting embrace of pasta and the savory goodness of seasoned ground beef, all enveloped in a creamy cheese sauce.
Ingredients
Scale:
12-16 jumbo pasta shells
1 pound ground beef (preferably lean)
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
2 cups homemade marinara sauce (or store-bought)
1 tablespoon olive oil
Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the jumbo pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente, usually around 9-11 minutes. Drain and set aside.
In a skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Once hot, add the chopped onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute. Then, add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
In a large bowl, combine the browned beef mixture with ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella cheese, and the grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until well combined.
Take each cooked pasta shell and fill it generously with the beef and cheese mixture. Place the st￭ shells in a baking dish, opening side up.
Pour the marinara sauce evenly over the st￭ shells and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired, and serve warm.
