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Stuffed Shells with Ground Beef

Approximate Cost: $3.25
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This easy family recipe for Stuffed Shells with Ground Beef is sure to be a crowd-pleaser! Ground beef, mozzarella, ricotta and Parmesan make up the filling along with a jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce, before being topped with parmesan before being baked until tender, melty and bubbly!

Close up of tomato and beef stuffed shells in a white baking dish topped with melted shredded cheese.

What Makes This Recipe So Good

  • It could not be easier to get these stuffed shells with ground beef on the table for dinner tonight. You can get started with the filling while the shells cook and cool enough to handle, and we’ve used your favorite brand of spaghetti sauce to ease up the pressure of making one yourself!
  • You could serve these beef stuffed shells as a meal on their own, but salad and garlic bread always work well to stretch a baked pasta dish even further!

Chef’s Tips

  • Always cook a few extra shells than you need to allow for some to tear during cooking!
  • If you don’t want to use ground beef, ground pork or ground turkey would also work well in this recipe.
  • If you find there is not enough fat coming out of your ground beef to cook the onions, feel free to add a splash of neutral cooking oil to help things along. 
Ground beef stuffed shells in a baking dish topped with melted cheese.
Overhead view of a white baking dish with three rows of stuffed shells topped with melted shredded cheese.

More Delicious Pasta Recipes You’ll Love

Close up of tomato and beef stuffed shells in a white baking dish topped with melted shredded cheese.

Easy Ground Beef Stuffed Shells

These easy, saucy stuffed shells are the ultimate family dinner! Filled with ground beef, ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan they're baked with your favorite spaghetti sauce until bubbly and tender!
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 50 minutes
Total: 1 hour 5 minutes
Recipe Makes: 8
Estimated Cost per Serving: $3.25

Equipment

  • 13×9-inch baking dish

Ingredients

  • 24 jumbo pasta shells (boiled and drained according to package, plus a few extra to allow for breakages)
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 small onion (chopped)
  • 15 oz ricotta
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella
  • ½ cup grated parmesan (plus extra for topping)
  • 24-26 oz spaghetti sauce (one jar)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon italian seasoning blend
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Cook the pasta according to package directions, drain well and set aside.
  • Cook the ground beef and onion in a large skillet over medium heat until the beef is lightly browned, and the onions are soft and starting to take on some color. Remove from the heat and pour off any excess drippings, if necessary.
  • Mix together the ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, and egg in a large bowl. Stir the ground beef mixture until totally combined.
  • Spread 1 cup of spaghetti sauce in a 13×9-inch baking dish.
  • Spoon about ¼ cup of the cheese/ground beef mixture into each shell, and place in the baking dish in a single layer.
  • Sprinkle any remaining meat mixture over the shells.
  • Top the shells with the remaining spaghetti sauce. Sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese. Whatever you have leftover from the pack or block of cheese should work fine.
  • Bake for 25 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F. The cheese should be melted, and the sauce should be bubbling!

Notes

Add oil: If you find there is not enough fat coming out of your ground beef to cook the onions, feel free to add a splash of neutral cooking oil to help things along. 
Cook extra shells: Always cook a few extra shells than you need to allow for some to tear during cooking!
Change the protein: If you don’t want to use ground beef, ground pork or ground turkey would also work well in this recipe.

Recipe costs provided are approximate. Actual cost per recipe & serving will vary by location, store, brand, etc. Approximate cost shown does not include costs for any optional ingredients.

Nutrition

Calories: 512kcal | Protein: 31g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 106mg | Sodium: 1005mg | Potassium: 559mg | Total Carbs: 26g | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Net Carbs: 24g | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 405mg

Nutrition Disclaimer

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes. Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used. To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

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Recipe by Cheryl Malik

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