EnglishNederlandsDeutsch
Main Course

Ricotta Stuffed Shells with Meat Sauce

This comforting and easy-to-make dish features tender jumbo pasta shells generously filled with a creamy ricotta mixture, all nestled in a rich meat sauce and baked until bubbly and golden. It's a perfect family-friendly meal that comes together with common supermarket ingredients.

Ricotta Stuffed Shells with Meat Sauce
Prep time
30 min
Cook time
35 min
Total time
65 min
Servings:
4
persons

1Ingredients

  • 24 countJumbo pasta shells
  • 450 gramsGround beef
  • 0.5 mediumYellow onion, chopped
  • 2 clovesGarlic, minced
  • 680 gramsMarinara sauce
  • 425 gramsRicotta cheese
  • 1.5 cupsMozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 0.5 cupParmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 countLarge egg
  • 2 tablespoonsFresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoonDried Italian seasoning
  • 0.5 teaspoonSalt
  • 0.3 teaspoonBlack pepper

2Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat your oven to 1900C (3750F). Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the jumbo pasta shells and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking. Set aside.

    ⏱ 12 min
  2. 2

    While the pasta cooks, prepare the meat sauce. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain any excess fat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Pour in the marinara sauce, bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and let it gently simmer.

    ⏱ 20 min
  3. 3

    In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella, all of the grated Parmesan, egg, chopped parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until all ingredients are well combined.

    ⏱ 5 min
  4. 4

    Spread about 1 cup of the meat sauce into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Carefully spoon the ricotta cheese mixture into each cooked pasta shell. You can use a small spoon or a piping bag for easier filling.

    ⏱ 10 min
  5. 5

    Arrange the stuffed shells in a single layer over the sauce in the baking dish. Pour the remaining meat sauce evenly over the top of the shells, ensuring they are mostly covered. Sprinkle with the remaining 0.5 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.

    ⏱ 5 min
  6. 6

    Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the sauce is hot.

    ⏱ 35 min
  7. 7

    Let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot with a side salad or garlic bread.

    ⏱ 10 min
Ricotta Stuffed Shells with Meat Sauce | SuperEasyRecipe