Go Back

Beef-Stuffed Shells with Creamy Ricotta

A comforting dish of jumbo pasta shells filled with a savory beef and ricotta mixture, covered in a rich cheese sauce.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Comfort Food, Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Shells
  • 20 pieces jumbo pasta shells uncooked
  • 1 lb ground beef Halal
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese plus extra for topping
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped, plus more for garnish
  • 1 piece egg lightly beaten
  • 2 cups marinara sauce ensure it's halal
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to the package instructions, but leave them slightly undercooked as they will continue to cook in the oven. Drain and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking.
  2. In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat. In a bowl, combine the cooked beef, ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella, Parmesan, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, and the beaten egg. Season with salt and pepper.
Assembly
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Take a spoonful of the beef filling and stuff each shell generously.
  2. Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish. Arrange the stuffed shells in the dish, then cover them with the remaining sauce. Sprinkle any reserved mozzarella cheese on top.
Baking
  1. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
  2. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Serving
  1. Let the dish cool slightly before garnishing with fresh parsley. Serve warm.

Notes

Avoid overcooking the pasta shells; they should be firm enough to hold the filling without breaking. Consider using ground turkey or chicken as a substitute for beef, or make it vegetarian with sautéed vegetables or mushrooms.