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Cheesy Baked Beef and Ricotta Stuffed Shells

A comforting dish of jumbo pasta shells filled with herbed beef and creamy ricotta, topped with marinara sauce and melted cheese.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 550
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Filling
  • 12 pieces jumbo pasta shells
  • 1 pound ground beef (ensure it’s Halal)
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Sauce and Seasoning
  • 1 jar marinara sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • to taste Salt and pepper

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a large pot, bring water to a boil and add a pinch of salt. Carefully add the jumbo pasta shells, cooking them for about 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool.
  3. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it’s no longer pink. Drain any excess fat, then stir in the ricotta cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until well combined.
  4. Take each cooled pasta shell and generously stuff it with the beef and ricotta mixture. Place the stuffed shells in a baking dish.
  5. Pour the marinara sauce evenly over the stuffed shells, ensuring each shell is well covered.
  6. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese on top for a melty, golden finish.
  7. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Serving
  1. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

For leaner alternatives, consider using ground chicken or turkey. You can use store-bought marinara sauce or make your own. Make sure to cook the pasta shells until just al dente; they will continue to cook in the oven.