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Stuffed Shells with Meat

Stuffed Shells with Meat

Indulge in the comforting flavors of Stuffed Shells with Meat, a delightful dish that’s perfect for family dinners or meal prep. These jumbo pasta shells are generously filled with a creamy mixture of ricotta cheese, cooked spinach, and seasoned ground beef. Topped with gooey mozzarella and baked in a rich marinara sauce, this recipe is sure to satisfy your cravings. Easy to prepare and endlessly customizable, it’s an ideal choice for gatherings or cozy nights at home.

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: Serves 6

Ingredients

Scale
  • Jumbo pasta shells
  • 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 3/4 – 1 lb ground beef
  • 24 oz marinara sauce
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 32 oz ricotta cheese
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup cooked spinach, drained and chopped
  • 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh parsley, for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cook the jumbo shells according to package instructions until al dente; drain and set aside.
  3. In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté diced bell peppers until soft. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Stir in marinara sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper; simmer briefly.
  4. In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, chopped spinach, eggs, mozzarella cheese, garlic powder, and salt until smooth.
  5. Stuff each shell with the ricotta mixture and arrange them in a baking dish over some meat sauce.
  6. Pour remaining meat sauce over the stuffed shells and cover with foil. Bake for 20 minutes; remove foil and sprinkle with more mozzarella cheese. Increase temperature to 375°F (190°C) and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
  7. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
  • Author: Jennifer
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Main
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 stuffed shell (150g)
  • Calories: 365
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 550mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 36g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 20g
  • Cholesterol: 80mg

Keywords: Feel free to customize the filling by adding your favorite vegetables or using different types of ground meat. For added flavor, consider simmering the meat sauce longer or incorporating herbs like basil or oregano.