Stuffed Shells Recipe with Meat
Jumbo shells are stuffed to the brim with a cheesy filling, covered with a meat sauce, and topped with lots of cheese. Every bite is a dream!
Servings: 8
Equipment
- 9x13 Baking Pan
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground chuck
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 23 oz. marinara sauce store-bought or homemade (1 jar)
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- 2 cups small curd cottage cheese (4% milk fat)
- 2 cups freshly shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese divided
- 20 dry jumbo pasta shells (about 7 oz.)
- chopped fresh basil leaves optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13-inch (3-quart) baking pan with nonstick spray; set aside.
- Bring a pot of water on the stovetop to a boil. Cook the pasta shells to al dente according to the package, about 8-9 minutes. After cooking the pasta shells, drain and place them upside down on a baking sheet to dry.20 dry jumbo pasta shells
- In a large skillet, brown the beef on medium heat until cooked through and no pink remains, about 5-7 minutes. Drain off the rendered fat.1 lb. ground chuck
- Reduce heat to medium-low. In the same skillet with the beef, heat the olive oil and add the onion. Cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.1 tbsp olive oil, 1 yellow onion, 1 clove garlic
- Reduce the heat to low and add the marinara sauce. Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.23 oz. marinara sauce
- In a medium bowl, mix the egg, cottage cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, and ½ cup of Parmesan cheese together.1 large egg, 2 cups small curd cottage cheese, 2 cups freshly shredded mozzarella cheese, ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Pour about three-quarters of the meat sauce into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Stuff the shells with 1 rounded tablespoon of cheese mixture and arrange them on top of the meat sauce, open-side up. Spoon the remaining meat sauce in-between the shells but not directly on top of the shells.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the shells. Bake 5-7 minutes longer, or until the cheese is melted.
- Garnish with fresh basil and serve!chopped fresh basil leaves
Video
Notes
- Add spinach to filling if desired.
- Add extra mozzarella for cheesier texture.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 446kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 103mg | Sodium: 990mg | Potassium: 595mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 777IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 303mg | Iron: 3mg