Print

Creamy Beef Shells Casserole

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

A delightful blend of large pasta shells filled with a creamy cheese mixture and savory ground beef, perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 12 oz large pasta shells
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Bring salted water to a boil and cook the pasta shells until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until tender.
  4. Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat.
  5. Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
  6. Mix the ricotta, 1 cup of mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and heavy cream until smooth.
  7. Stuff each pasta shell with the cheese mixture, ensuring they’re filled but not overflowing.
  8. Spread a layer of the beef mixture on the bottom of the baking dish.
  9. Arrange the stuffed shells on top of the beef layer.
  10. Pour the remaining beef mixture over the shells and sprinkle the rest of the mozzarella on top.
  11. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25-30 minutes, removing the foil in the last 5 minutes.
  12. Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before garnishing with fresh parsley.

Notes

Ensure your pasta shells are al dente and do not overstuff them. This dish pairs well with garlic bread or a green salad.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://yummyfirst.com/creamy-beef-shells-bake/