Beef-Stuffed Shells with Creamy Ricotta Filling: A Comforting Italian Classic
These Beef-Stuffed Shells with Creamy Ricotta Filling combine the heartiness of Italian comfort food with elegant presentation. Imagine tender jumbo pasta shells stuffed with savory ground beef and enveloped in a velvety ricotta mixture, all baked to golden perfection under a blanket of melted mozzarella. This dish delivers layers of flavor and texture that will transport your taste buds straight to a rustic Italian trattoria.
Perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests, these stuffed shells offer the satisfying richness of lasagna with an impressive individual presentation. The aromatic blend of garlic, herbs, and tomato sauce creates a symphony of flavors that complements the creamy ricotta filling beautifully. Whether you’re craving classic Italian flavors or looking for a crowd-pleasing pasta bake, this recipe delivers on both taste and visual appeal.
Quick Recipe Highlights
- Flavor Profile: Savory ground beef balanced with creamy ricotta and tangy tomato sauce creates a perfect harmony of rich Italian flavors.
- Texture: Tender pasta shells contrast beautifully with the meaty filling and smooth cheese topping for a satisfying mouthfeel.
- Aroma: Garlic, basil, and oregano infuse the dish with classic Italian kitchen aromas that will fill your home.
- Visual Appeal: Golden-brown cheese topping over stuffed shells makes for an impressive presentation straight from the oven.
- Skill Level Needed: Requires basic cooking techniques but delivers restaurant-quality results perfect for home chefs.
- Special Equipment: Just a large pot, baking dish, and basic kitchen tools needed for this comforting pasta bake.
Recipe Overview
- Difficulty Level: While not complicated, this recipe involves several steps including cooking pasta, preparing fillings, and baking – making it ideal for intermediate home cooks.
- Category: Hearty main dish that works equally well for weeknight family meals and special occasion dinners.
- Cuisine: Classic Italian-American comfort food with roots in traditional stuffed pasta dishes from Northern Italy.
- Cost: Budget-friendly using common ingredients, with ground beef being the most expensive component.
- Season: Perfect year-round but especially comforting during cooler months when baked pasta dishes shine.
- Occasion: Excellent for potlucks, family gatherings, or meal prep for busy weeks ahead.
Why You’ll Love This Beef-Stuffed Shells Recipe
The combination of textures in these stuffed shells creates an irresistible eating experience. The al dente pasta shells provide the perfect vessel for the rich beef and ricotta filling, while the melted cheese topping adds a satisfying stretch with every bite. Unlike traditional lasagna, the individual portions make serving easier and presentation more elegant.
From a preparation standpoint, this recipe offers flexibility – you can assemble it ahead of time and bake when needed, making it ideal for entertaining. The ingredients are readily available at any grocery store, and the technique is straightforward enough for cooks of various skill levels. It’s the kind of dish that looks like you spent hours in the kitchen, but comes together with reasonable effort.
Nutritionally, these stuffed shells provide a good balance of protein from the beef and ricotta, complex carbohydrates from the whole wheat pasta option, and lycopene-rich tomato sauce. You can easily adapt the recipe to include more vegetables or leaner meats if desired. The portion-controlled shells also help with serving sizes compared to free-form pasta bakes.
For social gatherings, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that appeals to both kids and adults. The individual servings make buffet-style serving easy, and the rich flavors pair well with simple side salads or roasted vegetables. It’s substantial enough to be the star of the meal without requiring multiple complicated side dishes.
Cost-wise, this recipe makes excellent use of affordable ingredients. Ground beef stretches further when combined with ricotta and pasta, making it budget-friendly for family meals. The dish also freezes well, allowing you to make larger batches when ingredients are on sale and enjoy them later.
The Recipe
Beef-Stuffed Shells with Creamy Ricotta Filling
Serves: 6
Prep Time: 25 mins
Cook Time: 35 mins
Total Time: 60 mins
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- Large pot
- Colander
- Large skillet
- Mixing bowls
- 9×13 baking dish
- Wooden spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 24 jumbo pasta shells
- 1 lb ground beef (85% lean)
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook pasta shells according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with onion and garlic until no pink remains. Drain excess fat.
- In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, egg, Parmesan, 1 cup mozzarella, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Spread 1 cup marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.
- Fill each cooked shell with about 1 tbsp ricotta mixture and 1 tbsp beef mixture. Arrange in baking dish.
- Pour remaining sauce over stuffed shells and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10 more minutes until bubbly.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.
Recipe Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef.
- Add 1 cup chopped spinach to the ricotta mixture for extra nutrition.
- Shells can be assembled up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerated before baking.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
