Stuffed Shells with Meat and Cheese Recipe
This Stuffed Shells Recipe with Meat is a comforting Italian-American classic featuring jumbo pasta shells filled with a savory cheese mixture and ground beef, all baked in a rich marinara sauce topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, this dish combines tender pasta, hearty meat sauce, and creamy cheese filling for a satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground chuck
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 26 ounces marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade – about 1 jar)
Cheese Filling
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 2 cups small curd cottage cheese (4% milk fat)
- 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Assembly and Topping
- 20 dry jumbo pasta shells (about 7 ounces)
- 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)
- Chopped fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly spray a 9×13-inch (3-quart) baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Cook Pasta Shells: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil on the stovetop. Add the jumbo pasta shells and cook until al dente, about 8-9 minutes according to package instructions. Drain the shells and lay them upside down on a baking sheet to dry and prevent sticking.
- Brown the Meat: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground chuck until fully browned and no pink remains, about 5-7 minutes. Drain off any excess fat from the skillet.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Reduce the heat to medium-low. In the same skillet with the beef, add the olive oil and diced onion. Cook until the onion becomes translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, stirring to prevent burning.
- Simmer Sauce: Lower the heat to low and add the marinara sauce to the skillet. Let it simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to develop rich flavors.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the lightly beaten egg, cottage cheese, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, and ½ cup Parmesan cheese. Stir well to create a smooth cheese filling.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Pour about three-quarters of the meat sauce into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Stuff each cooked pasta shell with about 1 rounded tablespoon of the cheese mixture and arrange the shells upright (open-side up) over the sauce. Spoon the remaining meat sauce between the shells, taking care not to pour it directly over them.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to heat through and meld flavors.
- Add Cheese Topping and Bake: Remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup mozzarella and ¼ cup Parmesan cheese evenly over the shells. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh basil leaves if desired, then serve the stuffed shells hot for a delicious and hearty meal.
Notes
- To prevent shells from sticking after boiling, arrange them on a baking sheet upside down to dry before filling.
- You can prepare the meat sauce a day ahead and refrigerate it to enhance flavor.
- Feel free to substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the beef and add sautéed vegetables like spinach or mushrooms to the sauce and filling.
- Make sure not to overfill the shells to avoid them bursting during baking.
- Use freshly grated cheeses for better melting and flavor compared to pre-shredded.
Keywords: stuffed shells, baked pasta shells, ground beef pasta, cheesy stuffed shells, Italian pasta bake
