Prep time: 20 mins | Cook time: 25–30 mins | Servings: 6
Ingredients
- The Pasta: 1 box (12 oz) jumbo pasta shells.
- The Filling:
- 15 oz ricotta cheese.
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese.
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
- 1 large egg (to bind).
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning.
- The Hearty Meat Sauce:
- 1 lb lean ground beef or Italian sausage.
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce.
- 1/2 onion, finely diced.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced.
- The Topping: 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Garnish: Freshly chopped parsley or basil.
Instructions
- Boil: Cook the jumbo shells in salted water until just al dente (slightly firm). Drain and rinse with cool water to prevent sticking.
- Sauté: In a large skillet, brown the ground meat and onions until cooked through. Drain the fat, add the garlic, and stir in the marinara sauce. Simmer for 5–10 minutes.
- Mix Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, and Italian seasoning until smooth.
- Stuff: Spread about 1 cup of the meat sauce onto the bottom of a large baking dish or oven-safe skillet. Fill each cooked shell generously with the ricotta mixture and arrange them in the dish.
- Sauce & Cheese: Spoon the remaining meat sauce over the shells and sprinkle with the extra mozzarella cheese.
- Bake: Bake at 375°F for 20–25 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and starting to turn golden brown.
- Finish: Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.