Description
This creamy beef shells casserole is a hearty, comforting dish that combines savory ground beef, ricotta, mozzarella, and a rich tomato sauce, all stuffed into jumbo pasta shells. Perfect for family dinners, this easy-to-make casserole is a crowd-pleaser that offers a delicious blend of flavors in every bite. Ideal for meal prepping, make-ahead meals, and freezing for later enjoyment.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
2 cups cooked jumbo pasta shells
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
- Add chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let simmer for about 10 minutes.
- While beef mixture simmers, cook pasta shells according to package instructions, drain, and set aside.
- In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, and parsley. Add cooked beef mixture and stir until well combined.
- Stuff pasta shells with the beef and cheese mixture and arrange them in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Pour remaining beef mixture over the shells and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving, garnish with extra parsley if desired.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, swap ground beef for plant-based protein or add extra vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini.
To add a spicy kick, incorporate red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeños to the beef mixture.
If you love cheese, top with extra shredded mozzarella and Parmesan before baking for an even cheesier casserole.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casserole, Comfort Food
- Method: Baking, Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 servings
- Calories: 450 kcal
