Zesty Taco-Stuffed Jumbo Shells
Indulge in a delightful twist on traditional tacos with these Zesty Taco-Stuffed Jumbo Shells. Bursting with flavor, these pasta shells are filled with a creamy, seasoned beef mixture, topped with zesty taco sauce, and melted cheese. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings, this dish combines the comfort of pasta with the bold flavors of Mexican cuisine. Serve with a dollop of sour cream for an extra creamy touch!
6
Servings
400
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ground beef
1 1/4 lbs (browned)
Cream cheese
3 ounces (softened)
Chili powder
1 teaspoon (none)
Large pasta shells
18 shells (cooked and drained)
Butter or margarine
2 tablespoons (melted)
Prepared taco sauce
1 cup (none)
Shredded taco cheese
4 ounces (none)
Sour cream
1 cup (for serving)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
3
Stir in the softened cream cheese and chili powder, simmering the mixture for about 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and well incorporated.
4
In a bowl, toss the cooked pasta shells with melted butter to prevent sticking. Carefully fill each shell with the beef and cream cheese mixture.
5
Arrange the filled shells in a greased 9x13 inch baking pan, placing them side by side.
6
Evenly pour the prepared taco sauce over each stuffed shell, ensuring they are nicely coated.
7
Cover the baking pan with foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 15 minutes.
8
Remove the foil and sprinkle the shredded taco cheese evenly over the shells. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden.
9
Serve warm with sour cream on the side for a creamy finish.
Nutrition Information
22g
Fat
30g
Carbs
23g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Zesty Taco-Stuffed Jumbo Shells?
They are a delightful twis t on traditional tacos using pasta shells filled with a creamy, seasoned beef mixture.
How many serving s doe s this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to make 6 serving s.
What is the calorie coun t per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 400 calorie s.
How much groun d beef is required?
You will nee d 1 1/4 lb s of groun d beef.
What kin d of pasta is use d in this recipe?
The recipe use s 18 large pasta shells.
At what temperature shoul d I prehea t the oven?
Prehea t you r oven to 350°F (175°C).
What is the firs t step in preparing the filling?
The firs t step is to brow n the groun d beef in a large skille t over mediu m heat.
How is the cream y texture in the beef mixture achieved?
It is achieved by stirring softene d cream chees e into the brow n beef.
What spic e is use d to seaso n the beef?
On e teaspoo n of chil i powde r is use d fo r seasoning.
How do you preven t the cooke d pasta shell s fro m sticking?
Tos s the cooke d shell s with melte d butte r or margarin e to preven t sticking.
What siz e bakin g pa n shoul d be use d?
A grease d 9x13 inc h bakin g pa n shoul d be use d.
How much taco sauc e is neede d?
You will nee d 1 cu p of prepare d taco sauc e.
Shoul d the bakin g pa n be covere d wil e baking?
Yes, cove r the pa n with foi l fo r the firs t 15 minute s of baking.
How lon g do you bak e the shell s afte r ad d ing the cheese?
Bak e fo r an ad d itiona l 10 minute s or until the cheee s e is bubbl y.
What is the recommende d garnis h fo r serving?
Serv e with a dollo p of sou r cream on the side.
How much protei n is i n each serving?
Each servin g provide s 23g of protein.
What is the fa t conten t per serving?
The fa t conten t is 22g per serving.
How much carbohydrat e is i n each serving?
The re ar e 30g of carbohydrate s per serving.
What kin d of chees e shoul d be sprinkle d ove r the shells?
Us e 4 ounce s of shred de d taco cheese.
How shoul d the cream chees e be prepare d?
The cream chees e shoul d be softene d befor e us e.
Is it necessar y to drai n the groun d beef?
Yes, drai n an y exces s fa t afte r brow n in g the meat.
How shoul d the shell s be arrange d in the pan?
The fille d shell s shoul d be place d sid e by sid e i n the bakin g pa n.
What categor y of mea l is this?
It is categor ize d as a On e Dis h Meal.
Ca n I us e margarin e in stea d of butte r?
Yes, you ca n us e eithe r butte r or margarin e to tos s the shells.
How lon g shoul d the beef an d cream chees e mixtur e simmer?
Simme r the mixtur e fo r abou t 5 minute s until the cheee s e is melte d.
Is this recipe considere d family-frien d ly?
Yes, it is describe d as perfec t fo r famil y dinner s or gather ing s.
What cuisin e influence s this dis h?
This dis h combine s the bol d flavor s of Mexica n cuisin e with pasta.
How shoul d the taco sauc e be app lie d?
Evenl y pou r the taco sauc e ove r each stuffe d shel l to ensur e the y ar e coate d.
What shoul d I do afte r bakin g fo r the firs t 15 minute s?
Remov e the foi l an d sprinkl e the shred de d taco chees e ove r the shells.
What is the tota l numbe r of ingre d ient s use d?
The re ar e 8 ingre d ient s in tota l fo r this recipe.