Zesty Mexican Fiesta Stuffed Shells
These flavorful Zesty Mexican Fiesta Stuffed Shells are a delightful twist on traditional pasta, filled with seasoned ground beef, zesty salsa, and gooey cheese. Perfect for meal prepping, these shells can be made in bulk and frozen for future dinners. Add jalapeños, hot sauce, or green chilies for a spicy kick. They're a crowd-pleaser at family gatherings or a cozy night in. Serve garnished with fresh green onions for a pop of color and flavor!
N/A
Servings
125
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Large pasta shells
12-18 (cooked)
Ground beef
1 lb (browned and drained)
Taco seasoning
3 tablespoons (for seasoning meat)
Water
1/2 cup (to mix with seasoning)
Onion
1 (chopped)
Salsa
1 1/2 cups (divided in mixture and topping)
Grated cheese
1 cup (divided (jalapeno Monterey Jack or cheddar))
Tomato sauce
750 ml (for topping)
Chili powder
to taste (for seasoning the sauce)
Green onion
for garnish (chopped)
Instructions
1
Begin by browning the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Drain excess grease.
2
Stir in the taco seasoning, water, chopped onion, 1/2 cup salsa, and 1/4 cup of the grated cheese. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the mixture is heated through and the onions are tender.
3
In a separate bowl, combine the remaining salsa, tomato sauce, and chili powder to taste. Mix until well blended.
4
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Pour a thin layer of the sauce mixture on the bottom of a 9 x 12 baking pan.
5
Carefully fill each cooked pasta shell with the ground beef mixture and place them in the baking pan, open side up.
6
Pour the remaining sauce mixture over the stuffed shells, ensuring they are well covered. Sprinkle the remaining grated cheese on top and garnish with chopped green onions.
7
At this point, you can cover the baking dish with foil and freeze for up to 3 months.
8
When ready to bake, defrost the dish overnight in the refrigerator. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes or until heated through. If cooking from frozen, bake at 300°F (150°C) for 2 hours.
9
For extra cheesiness, sprinkle additional cheese on top during the last 5 minutes of baking, then return to the oven until melted and bubbly.
Nutrition Information
7g
Fat
8g
Carbs
7g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Zesty Mexican Fiesta Stuffed Shells?
They are a flavorful twist on traditional pasta filled with seasoned ground beef, zesty salsa, and gooey cheese.
What type of pasta should I use?
You should use 12 to 18 large pasta shells that have been cooked.
How do I prepare the ground beef?
Brown 1 lb of ground beef in a skillet over medium heat and drain the excess grease.
What seasoning is used for the meat filling?
The meat is seasoned with 3 tablespoons of taco seasoning and 1/2 cup of water.
What vegetables are included in the filling?
One chopped onion is stirred into the beef mixture and cooked until tender.
How much salsa is required for this recipe?
A total of 1 1/2 cups of salsa is used, divided between the beef mixture and the sauce topping.
What kind of cheese is recommended?
One cup of grated cheese is needed; jalapeno Monterey Jack or cheddar are recommended options.
How do I make the sauce for the shells?
Combine the remaining salsa, 750 ml of tomato sauce, and chili powder to taste.
What temperature should I preheat the oven to?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for baking defrosted shells.
What size baking pan is needed?
A 9 x 12 inch baking pan is recommended for this recipe.
How do I layer the sauce in the pan?
Pour a thin layer of the sauce mixture on the bottom of the pan before adding the stuffed shells.
How should the shells be placed in the baking dish?
Place the stuffed shells in the baking pan with the open side facing up.
Can I freeze these stuffed shells?
Yes, you can cover the baking dish with foil and freeze it for up to 3 months.
How do I prepare the frozen shells for baking?
Defrost the dish overnight in the refrigerator before baking at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes.
Can I cook the shells directly from frozen?
Yes, if cooking from frozen, bake at 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) for 2 hours.
How do I get extra melted cheese on top?
Sprinkle additional cheese on top during the last 5 minutes of baking until it is melted and bubbly.
What is the recommended garnish?
Garnish the finished dish with chopped green onions for extra color and flavor.
How can I make the recipe spicier?
You can add jalapenos, hot sauce, or green chilies for a spicy kick.
Is this recipe good for meal prepping?
Yes, these shells can be made in bulk and frozen for future dinners, making them ideal for meal prep.
How many calories are in a serving?
There are 125 calories per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 7g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in each serving?
There are 8g of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the protein content?
Each serving provides 7g of protein.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 10 main ingredients used in this recipe.
Is this considered comfort food?
Yes, it is tagged as comfort food and is a crowd-pleaser for family gatherings.
What should I do with the remaining sauce mixture?
Pour the remaining sauce mixture over the stuffed shells before adding the final cheese layer.
What is the primary flavor profile?
The profile is Mexican-inspired, featuring taco seasoning, salsa, and chili powder.
How long does it take to bake when not frozen?
It takes approximately 30 minutes or until heated through at 350 degrees F.
How do I ensure the meat mixture is heated through?
Cook the meat with seasoning and other ingredients for 2 to 3 minutes before stuffing the shells.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include mexican, stuffed shells, pasta, meal prep, freezer friendly, comfort food, taco, and cheesy.