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Easy Cheesy Ground Beef Stuffed Shells Bake

Close-up of baked Cheesy Ground Beef Stuffed Shells Easy Bake topped with melted mozzarella cheese and marinara sauce.
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A simple recipe for baked pasta shells filled with seasoned ground beef and a rich, cheesy ricotta mixture.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 jumbo pasta shells
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the jumbo shells according to package directions until al dente. Drain the shells and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  4. Stir the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper into the cooked ground beef. Remove from heat.
  5. In a medium bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, beaten egg, and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese. Stir in the cooked ground beef mixture until combined.
  6. Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
  7. Carefully stuff each cooked shell with the meat and cheese filling. Arrange the filled shells in a single layer in the baking dish.
  8. Pour the remaining 1 cup of marinara sauce over the stuffed shells.
  9. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the shells and sauce. Sprinkle with extra Parmesan cheese.
  10. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is melted and lightly golden brown.
  11. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For a shortcut, use oven-ready shells, but ensure your sauce covers them completely to allow them to soften during baking.
  • You can prepare the entire casserole ahead of time, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add about 10 minutes to the baking time if baking directly from the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://spoonswirl.com/cheesy-ground-beef-stuffed-shells-easy-bake/