Description
Ready for a comforting, crowd-pleasing dinner that’s hearty, cheesy, and easy to make? These Best Stuffed Shells with Ground Beef are the ultimate baked pasta dish you didn’t know you needed. Perfect for cozy weeknights, dinner ideas with guests, or simple make-ahead meals, this easy recipe is packed with flavor and texture. Jumbo pasta shells are filled with seasoned ground beef and marinara, topped with melty mozzarella, and baked to golden perfection. It’s one of those food ideas that feel like a warm hug in every bite—ideal for anyone who loves quick dinners, meal prep, and easy comfort food.
Ingredients
20–25 jumbo pasta shells
1 lb (450 g) ground beef
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups marinara or pasta sauce
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and black pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta shells until just al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions and cook until soft. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned. Drain excess fat. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Stir 1 cup of marinara sauce into the beef mixture and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and spread ½ cup of marinara sauce on the bottom.
- Stuff each shell with the beef mixture and place in the baking dish.
- Spoon remaining marinara sauce over the shells. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly.
- Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner