Cheesy Spinach and Beef-Stuffed Shells
Delight your family and friends with these Cheesy Spinach and Beef-Stuffed Shells, a comforting dish that combines flavorful ground beef, fresh or frozen spinach, and a blend of cheeses, all encased in tender jumbo pasta shells. Topped with a rich tomato sauce, this dish is perfect for a cozy family dinner or potluck gatherings. Whether fresh or prepared in advance, these stuffed shells are sure to impress with their creamy and savory filling.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Large shell noodles
12 ounces (Cooked, drained)
Ground beef
1 lb (Cooked until browned)
Olive oil
2 teaspoons (For cooking)
Baby spinach
6 ounces (Fresh or frozen, chopped)
Onion
1 cup (Finely chopped)
Garlic
1 clove (Minced)
Salt
1 teaspoon (For seasoning)
Ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (For seasoning)
Ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon (For seasoning)
Egg
1 (Beaten)
Grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup (For mixing into stuffing)
Spaghetti sauce
26 ounces (For layering)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Cook the jumbo shell noodles according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
3
In a skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and cook the ground beef until browned. Stir in the chopped spinach, onion, and minced garlic, cooking until the spinach is wilted and the onions are translucent.
4
Combine in a mixing bowl, adding reserved pasta water gradually until the mixture reaches a creamy consistency. Allow the mixture to cool slightly before stirring in the egg and grated Parmesan cheese for added richness.
5
If preparing for the freezer, you can freeze the stuffing mixture at this point.
6
Spread 1 cup of spaghetti sauce evenly on the bottom of a 13x9 inch baking dish.
7
Gently fill each jumbo shell with the beef and spinach mixture, placing them seam side up in the sauce-covered dish.
8
Pour the remaining spaghetti sauce over the stuffed shells, ensuring they are well-coated. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to keep the moisture in.
9
Bake for 30 minutes or until heated through and bubbling. Remove the foil for the last 10 minutes to allow the top to become slightly golden.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Cheesy Spinach and Beef-Stuffed Shells?
They are a comforting pasta dish made with jumbo shells filled with a mixture of ground beef, spinach, and Parmesan cheese, topped with tomato sauce.
What temperature should I preheat the oven to?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How should the jumbo shell noodles be cooked?
Cook them according to the package directions until they are al dente.
Why should I reserve pasta water?
Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water to gradually add to the filling mixture to achieve a creamy consistency.
How do I prepare the ground beef?
Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat with olive oil before adding the vegetables.
Can I use frozen spinach for this recipe?
Yes, you can use either 6 ounces of fresh or frozen chopped baby spinach.
How do I know when the onions are ready?
The onions should be cooked until they are translucent.
When do I add the egg and Parmesan cheese?
Add the egg and grated Parmesan cheese once the beef and spinach mixture has cooled slightly.
Can the stuffing mixture be frozen?
Yes, if you are preparing the dish in advance, you can freeze the stuffing mixture before filling the shells.
How much spaghetti sauce goes on the bottom of the dish?
Spread 1 cup of spaghetti sauce evenly on the bottom of the 13x9 inch baking dish.
How should the shells be placed in the baking dish?
Place the filled shells seam side up in the sauce-covered dish.
Do I need to cover the dish while baking?
Yes, cover the dish with aluminum foil to keep the moisture in during the initial baking phase.
How long does the dish bake in total?
Bake for 30 minutes in total, or until the dish is heated through and bubbling.
When should I remove the aluminum foil?
Remove the foil for the last 10 minutes of baking to allow the top to become slightly golden.
What kind of oil is used for cooking the beef?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of olive oil.
What seasonings are included in the filling?
The filling is seasoned with 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon of ground nutmeg.
How much ground beef is needed?
You will need 1 pound of ground beef.
How many jumbo shells are used?
The recipe uses 12 ounces of large shell noodles.
How much garlic is required?
The recipe uses 1 clove of minced garlic.
What size baking dish is recommended?
A 13x9 inch baking dish is recommended for this recipe.
How much onion should I use?
Use 1 cup of finely chopped onion.
What is the total amount of spaghetti sauce used?
The recipe requires a total of 26 ounces of spaghetti sauce.
Is this dish suitable for potlucks?
Yes, its easy-to-serve portioned shells make it perfect for potluck gatherings.
Does this recipe include cheese?
Yes, it includes 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese in the filling.
What is the role of the egg in the recipe?
The egg acts as a binder for the beef and spinach filling while adding richness.
Can I prepare this dish in advance?
Yes, the recipe notes that it can be prepared in advance, and the stuffing can even be frozen.
What makes the filling creamy?
The combination of reserved pasta water, egg, and Parmesan cheese creates a creamy consistency.
Is the garlic fresh or powdered?
The recipe specifies 1 clove of fresh minced garlic.
What tags describe this recipe?
This dish is tagged as pasta, stuffed shells, spinach, beef, cheesy, comfort food, family dinner, casserole, Italian, and main dish.
What is the preparation for the onion?
The onion should be finely chopped before cooking with the beef.