Description
Rich, cheesy ricotta beef shells combine Italian-inspired comfort with hearty flavors. Pasta shells cradle seasoned ground beef and creamy ricotta for a satisfying meal you’ll savor with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) lean ground beef
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, shredded (divided)
- ½ cup Pecorino Romano cheese, grated
- 20 large pasta shells
- 2 ½ cups tomato basil sauce
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- salt, to taste
- black pepper, to taste
- fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Preparation: Heat the oven to 375°F, establishing an ideal baking environment for the shells.
- Pasta Preparation: Cook pasta shells in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and set aside to cool. Meanwhile, brown ground beef in a skillet, incorporating minced garlic and dried oregano midway through cooking until meat is thoroughly cooked and fragrant.
- Filling Creation: Combine the seasoned beef with ricotta, mozzarella, Pecorino Romano, beaten egg, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Blend ingredients thoroughly to create a smooth, well-integrated filling.
- Assembly Technique: Spread tomato basil sauce across the bottom of a baking dish. Carefully stuff each pasta shell with the prepared beef and cheese mixture, arranging them neatly in the sauce-lined dish. Cover the stuffed shells with the remaining tomato basil sauce, ensuring complete coverage.
- Cheese Topping: Generously sprinkle additional mozzarella cheese over the shells, creating a tempting golden layer that will melt and bubble during baking.
- Baking Process: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking until the cheese turns golden and bubbly, creating a perfectly melted top.
- Finishing Touch: Remove from the oven and let the dish rest briefly. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley to add a vibrant, fresh accent. Serve hot, presenting a comforting and flavorful meal that promises to delight.
Notes
- Prep Ahead Strategy: Assemble the shells completely up to 24 hours in advance, storing covered in the refrigerator for convenient meal planning and time-saving preparation.
- Pasta Perfection Tip: Slightly undercook shells by 1-2 minutes during boiling to prevent overcooking when baked, ensuring a tender, not mushy texture.
- Cheese Blend Balance: Use room temperature cheeses for smoother mixing and more consistent incorporation into the beef filling, enhancing overall flavor integration.
- Moisture Management: Drain ground beef thoroughly after cooking to prevent excess liquid from making the shells soggy, maintaining the dish’s desired creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 486
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg