Name: Cheesy Beef Stuffed Shells
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1 small onion, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tsp Italian seasoning; ½ tsp salt (plus more to taste); ¼ tsp black pepper; 1 cup ricotta cheese; 1 cup shredded mozzarella (plus extra for topping); ¼ cup grated parmesan (optional); 1 large egg; 20–24 jumbo pasta shells (about 12 oz); 3 cups marinara sauce (or your favorite tomato pasta sauce); ½ cup water or broth (optional, to loosen sauce if thick); Chopped parsley or basil for garnish (optional)

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There’s something so comforting about pulling a bubbling baking dish out of the oven, jumbo pasta shells filled with a savory beef mixture, nestled in a rich tomato sauce, then topped with melty, golden cheese. These cheesy beef stuffed shells are the kind of dinner that makes the kitchen feel warm and familiar, perfect for family nights, Sunday meal prep, or anytime you want an easy baked pasta recipe that tastes like a hug.

Reasons to Love These Stuffed Shells

Cozy, hearty comfort food with classic flavors
Easy to make ahead for busy weeknights
Kid-friendly (cheese + pasta always wins)
Freezer-friendly and great for meal prep
Perfect for feeding a crowd without stress

Ingredients You’ll Need

🥩 Beef Filling

1 lb ground beef
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp salt (plus more to taste)
¼ tsp black pepper
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella (plus extra for topping)
¼ cup grated parmesan (optional)
1 large egg

🍅 Sauce + Pasta

20–24 jumbo pasta shells (about 12 oz)
3 cups marinara sauce (or your favorite tomato pasta sauce)
½ cup water or broth (optional, to loosen sauce if thick)

🌿 Finish (Optional)

Chopped parsley or basil for garnish

How to Make Cheesy Beef Stuffed Shells

Cook the pasta shells
Boil jumbo shells in salted water until just al dente (1–2 minutes less than package). Drain and rinse gently with cool water to stop cooking.
Make the beef mixture
In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef with onion until browned (6–8 minutes). Drain excess fat. Add garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook 1 minute until fragrant. Let cool slightly.
Mix the filling
In a bowl, combine ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, egg, and parmesan (if using). Stir in the cooked beef mixture until well mixed.
Assemble
Spread 1½ cups marinara in the bottom of a baking dish. Stuff each shell with the filling and arrange in the dish. Spoon remaining marinara over the shells.
Top with cheese
Sprinkle with extra mozzarella.
Bake
Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake 10 more minutes until bubbly and lightly golden.
Serve
Let rest 5 minutes, garnish with parsley, and serve warm.

Prep: ~20 minutes

Cook: ~35 minutes

Total: ~55 minutes

Serves: 6

Make-Ahead Tips

Assemble the dish fully, cover tightly, and refrigerate up to 24 hours.
Bake straight from the fridge (add 5–10 minutes extra covered time).

Storage + Freezing

Fridge: 3–4 days in airtight containers
Freezer: up to 2 months (best frozen before baking)

To freeze: assemble in a freezer-safe dish, wrap well, and freeze. Thaw overnight and bake as usual.

Perfect Pairings

Simple green salad with vinaigrette
Garlic bread or dinner rolls
Roasted broccoli or green beans

Variations

Swap beef: use ground turkey or ground chicken
Add spinach: mix 1 cup chopped spinach into the ricotta filling
Spicy: add red pepper flakes to the meat sauce
Extra creamy: add a spoon of plain yogurt or cream cheese to ricotta mix

FAQ

Can I use cottage cheese instead of ricotta?

Yes, blend it for a smoother texture, or use it as-is for a lighter filling.

How do I keep shells from tearing?

Cook just to al dente, stir gently, and rinse with cool water right after draining.

Do I have to cover with foil?

Covering keeps shells tender. Uncovering at the end gives that golden cheese top.

Final Thoughts

If you want a no-fuss comfort dinner that feels special, these cheesy beef stuffed shells deliver every time. Saucy, melty, hearty, and family-approved, this is one of those baked pasta recipes that’s always worth saving.

Cheesy Beef Stuffed Shells

Author: anastasia-rice
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Jumbo pasta shells filled with a savory beef mixture, nestled in rich tomato sauce, and topped with golden cheese for a comforting dinner option.

Instructions

Boil jumbo shells in salted water until just al dente (1–2 minutes less than package). Drain and rinse gently with cool water to stop cooking.
In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef with onion until browned (6–8 minutes). Drain excess fat. Add garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook 1 minute until fragrant. Let cool slightly.
In a bowl, combine ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, egg, and parmesan (if using). Stir in the cooked beef mixture until well mixed.
Spread 1½ cups marinara in the bottom of a baking dish. Stuff each shell with the filling and arrange in the dish. Spoon remaining marinara over the shells.
Sprinkle with extra mozzarella.
Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake 10 more minutes until bubbly and lightly golden.
Let rest 5 minutes, garnish with parsley, and serve warm.