Ohhh yes — ricotta beef stuffed shells is pure baked-pasta comfort 😌🍝
Here’s a rich, classic version that hits every note: creamy, meaty, cheesy.
Ricotta Beef Stuffed Shells
Ingredients:
- 20–24 jumbo pasta shells
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 2 cups ricotta cheese (whole milk if possible)
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups marinara sauce (plus extra for topping)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 small onion, finely diced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- Olive oil
Instructions:
- Cook the shells
- Boil shells in well-salted water until just al dente.
- Drain and lay out on a baking sheet so they don’t stick.
- Make the beef filling
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Sauté onion 3–4 minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
- Add ground beef, season with salt & pepper, and cook until browned.
- Drain excess fat and let cool slightly.
- Mix the cheese filling
- In a bowl, combine ricotta, egg, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and 1 cup mozzarella.
- Fold in the cooked beef.
- Assemble
- Spread 1 cup marinara in the bottom of a baking dish.
- Stuff each shell generously and place seam-side up.
- Spoon remaining sauce over shells and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella.
- Bake
- Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes.
- Uncover and bake another 10–15 minutes until bubbly and lightly golden.
- Rest & serve
- Let rest 5–10 minutes. Finish with fresh basil or parsley if you like.
Pro Tips:
- Slightly undercook the shells — they finish cooking in the oven
- Whole-milk ricotta = creamier texture
- Want extra richness? Add a splash of cream or mascarpone to the ricotta mix
Variations You’ll Love:
- Spinach ricotta beef shells: fold in sautéed spinach
- Spicy version: add red pepper flakes or hot Italian sausage
- White-sauce twist: use béchamel instead of marinara
- Freezer-friendly: assemble, cover tightly, freeze unbaked
If you want, I can also give you a make-ahead / freezer instructions, a lighter version, or a restaurant-style extra cheesy version 😏🧀
