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A baking dish filled with jumbo pasta shells stuffed with cheese and covered in meat sauce and melted mozzarella.

Cheesy Stuffed Shells with Meat Sauce

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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 550
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounces jumbo pasta shells
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic , minced
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg , lightly beaten
  • 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook jumbo shells in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, drain, and set aside on parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and onion until meat is cooked through; drain excess grease.
  4. Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Stir in the marinara sauce and simmer on low for 5 minutes.
  6. Spread 1 cup of the meat sauce onto the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  7. In a medium mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until well incorporated.
  8. Stuff each cooked shell with approximately 2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture and place into the baking dish.
  9. Spoon the remaining meat sauce over the shells and sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella.
  10. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
  11. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly browned.
  12. Garnish with fresh parsley and allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes before serving.