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Stuffed Shells with Savory Beef Sauce Recipe

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4.7 from 94 reviews

Stuffed Shells with Savory Beef Sauce is a comforting Italian-American dish featuring jumbo pasta shells filled with a creamy ricotta and mozzarella cheese mixture, baked in a flavorful savory beef sauce enhanced with Italian seasoning and a touch of roasted garlic teriyaki marinade. This hearty casserole offers a perfect balance of rich cheeses, tender ground beef, and aromatic herbs, making it ideal for family dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Filling

  • 20 jumbo pasta shells
  • 1½ cups ricotta cheese
  • ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Beef Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ cup onion, chopped
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 cups pasta sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Kikkoman® Roasted Garlic Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce

Topping & Garnish

  • ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh chopped basil for serving

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta Shells: Boil jumbo pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly to handle.
  2. Prepare the Beef Sauce: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ½ cup chopped onion and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until translucent. Add 1 pound ground beef and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until mostly browned. Drain excess fat. Season the beef with 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, then stir in 2 cups pasta sauce and 2 tablespoons roasted garlic teriyaki marinade. Simmer the sauce for 5 minutes to combine flavors.
  3. Mix the Cheese Filling: In a bowl, combine 1½ cups ricotta cheese, ½ cup shredded mozzarella, ¼ cup grated Parmesan, 1 large egg, 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Mix thoroughly until well-combined.
  4. Stuff the Shells: Carefully fill each cooked pasta shell with the cheese mixture, ensuring each shell is adequately filled.
  5. Assemble the Casserole: Spread 1 cup of the prepared beef sauce evenly on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange the stuffed shells in a single layer over the sauce. Spoon the remaining beef sauce evenly over the top of the shells. Sprinkle the remaining ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese over the assembled dish.
  6. Bake the Dish: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes to heat through and meld flavors.
  7. Broil the Cheese: Remove the foil and broil the stuffed shells for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese topping is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
  8. Rest and Serve: Let the baked stuffed shells rest for 5 minutes to set. Garnish with fresh chopped basil before serving for a fragrant finish.

Notes

  • To prevent sticking, cook the pasta shells carefully and handle gently while stuffing.
  • For a spicier sauce, add crushed red pepper flakes with the Italian seasoning.
  • Leftover stuffed shells can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
  • Substitute ground turkey or Italian sausage for ground beef if desired.
  • Use fresh basil generously as a garnish for enhanced aroma and taste.

Keywords: stuffed shells, ground beef, ricotta cheese, baked pasta, Italian casserole, cheesy stuffed shells, savory beef sauce

Find it online: https://kitchenwithkai.com/stuffed-shells-with-savory-beef-sauce-recipe/