Savory Stuffed Meat-Lover's Pasta Shells
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with our Savory Stuffed Meat-Lover's Pasta Shells! This dish combines the heartiness of ground beef with the creaminess of ricotta cheese and the vibrant touch of spinach, making it a surefire crowd-pleaser. Designed to satisfy the most avid carnivores, each shell is generously filled with a rich meat and cheese blend, enveloped in a luscious marinara sauce. Perfect for family gatherings or as a hearty appetizer, these shells can be made ahead and frozen for a quick meal. Dive into layers of flavors that celebrate Italian cooking while keeping hunger at bay!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ground Beef
2.5 lbs (Cooked and drained.)
Jumbo Pasta Shells
2 (12 ounce) boxes (Cooked according to package instructions.)
Prego Spaghetti Sauce
1 (26 ounce) jar (Any variety.)
Frozen Spinach
1 (8 ounce) box (Thawed and squeezed of excess moisture.)
Ricotta Cheese
2 cups (No preparation needed.)
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1 lb (Divided for use.)
Grated Parmesan Cheese
1/2 cup (No preparation needed.)
Garlic Cloves
2 (Minced.)
Yellow Onion
1 small (Finely chopped.)
Italian Seasoning
5 tablespoons (No preparation needed.)
Garlic Pepper Seasoning
1 tablespoon (No preparation needed.)
Eggs
4 (Slightly beaten.)
Milk
1/3 cup (No preparation needed.)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat and return the meat to the pan.
3
Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the pan with the beef. Sauté for about 3 minutes until the onion becomes translucent. Set aside to cool slightly.
4
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
5
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, grated parmesan cheese, and about 2/3 of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Mix well.
6
Add the Italian seasoning, garlic pepper seasoning, beaten eggs, and milk to the cheese mixture. Stir until thoroughly combined.
7
Fold in the sautéed meat mixture and the thawed, squeezed spinach into the cheese blend until evenly mixed.
8
Spread a thin layer of spaghetti sauce across the bottom of a large baking dish.
9
Use a large rounded tablespoon to generously fill each pasta shell with the meat and cheese mixture. Place the stuffed shells closely together in the baking dish.
10
If you have leftover shells, you can prepare another baking dish and freeze it for later use.
11
Once all shells are placed in the baking dish, pour the remaining spaghetti sauce evenly over the top, ensuring all shells are covered.
12
Sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
13
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 45 minutes.
14
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and golden.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this dish?
The dish is called Savory Stuffed Meat-Lover's Pasta Shells.
What type of meat is used in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 2.5 lbs of ground beef, which should be cooked and drained.
How many boxes of jumbo pasta shells are needed?
You will need two 12-ounce boxes of jumbo pasta shells.
What temperature should the oven be preheated to?
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
What type of sauce is recommended?
One 26-ounce jar of Prego Spaghetti Sauce is recommended, but any variety can be used.
How should the frozen spinach be prepared?
The spinach should be thawed and squeezed of all excess moisture before being added to the mixture.
How much ricotta cheese is required?
The recipe requires 2 cups of ricotta cheese.
What is the total amount of mozzarella cheese used?
The recipe uses 1 lb of shredded mozzarella cheese, which is divided for use.
How much grated parmesan cheese is needed?
You will need 1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese.
How many cloves of garlic are in the recipe?
There are 2 minced garlic cloves in the recipe.
What kind of onion should I use?
One small yellow onion, finely chopped, is used in this dish.
How much Italian seasoning is included?
The recipe includes 5 tablespoons of Italian seasoning.
What is the amount of garlic pepper seasoning needed?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of garlic pepper seasoning.
How many eggs are used as a binder?
Four slightly beaten eggs are used to bind the meat and cheese mixture.
Is milk used in the filling?
Yes, 1/3 cup of milk is added to the cheese mixture.
How long should I sauté the onion and garlic?
Sauté the onion and garlic with the meat for about 3 minutes until the onion becomes translucent.
How do I cook the pasta shells?
Cook the jumbo pasta shells in salted water according to the package instructions until they are al dente.
How much mozzarella cheese goes into the filling?
About two-thirds of the shredded mozzarella cheese is mixed into the filling.
What is the first step in assembling the baking dish?
Spread a thin layer of spaghetti sauce across the bottom of a large baking dish.
How do I fill the shells efficiently?
Use a large rounded tablespoon to generously fill each shell with the meat and cheese blend.
Can these stuffed shells be frozen?
Yes, you can prepare an additional baking dish of stuffed shells and freeze it for later use.
How should the shells be arranged in the dish?
Place the stuffed shells closely together in the baking dish.
What goes on top of the shells before baking?
Pour the remaining spaghetti sauce over the shells and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top.
Should the baking dish be covered in the oven?
Yes, cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil for the initial stage of baking.
How long do the shells bake while covered?
Bake the covered dish for 35 to 45 minutes.
Do I need to bake the dish uncovered?
Yes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbling.
What is the final appearance of the dish?
The dish is ready when the cheese is bubbling and golden.
Is this recipe suitable for a family gathering?
Yes, it is described as a surefire crowd-pleaser and perfect for family gatherings.
Can this be served as an appetizer?
Yes, these stuffed shells can be served as a hearty appetizer or a main course.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 13 total ingredients in the Savory Stuffed Meat-Lover's Pasta Shells.