Creamy Ricotta Beef Stuffed Shells Pasta Delight
Ultra-comforting and packed with robust flavors, the Creamy Ricotta Beef Stuffed Shells Pasta is a dish that will impress all pasta lovers. The tender shells seamlessly combine with a hearty ground beef and ricotta mixture, all smothered in a rich marinara sauce and smothered in mozzarella cheese. Get set to experience a perfect burst of Italian flavors right at your dining table.
Why Make This Recipe?
This pasta dish is perfect for both casual family meals and a dinner party with friends. Its gourmet flavors are hard to resist, making it a go-to recipe when you crave something hearty and satisfying.
How to Make Creamy Ricotta Beef Stuffed Shells Pasta
This dish entails a series of simple steps starting from cooking pasta shells, preparing the beef and cheese filling, assembling the dish and finally baking it to perfection.
Ingredients:
The ingredients required to make this dish include the following:
– 20 jumbo pasta shells
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 1 pound ground beef
– 1 small onion, chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 cups ricotta cheese
– 1 egg
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
– 2 cups marinara sauce
– 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Directions:
Here are the steps to achieve this mouth-watering delight.
1. Warm your oven to 375°F.
2. Boil the pasta shells according to the instructions on the packet. Drain and allow it to cool.
3. Heat some olive oil in a pan and sauté onions and garlic.
4. Add ground beef in the same pan. Season it with salt and pepper. Cook till it turns brown.
5. Remove from heat and drain the excess fat.
6. Create the filling by combining the ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning in a bowl. Add the cooked beef.
7. Lay a cup of marinara sauce in a large baking dish.
8. Fill each shell with the ricotta-beef mixture and arrange them on the plate.
9. Pour the remaining marinara sauce and smother with mozzarella.
10. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
11. Decorate with fresh basil and serve hot.
How to Serve Creamy Ricotta Beef Stuffed Shells Pasta
This dish works best when it served right from the oven while the cheese is still bubbly and hot. Accompany it with a fresh side salad or slices of garlic bread for the perfect Italian meal.
How to Store Creamy Ricotta Beef Stuffed Shells Pasta
If you have leftovers, cool them completely and transfer to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator where it will last for up to 3 days.
Tips to Make Creamy Ricotta Beef Stuffed Shells Pasta
Pre-cooking and draining the ground beef ensure your dish isn’t overly greasy. Also, slightly undercook your pasta shells as they’ll further cook in the oven.
Variation
For a vegetarian take on this recipe, replace the beef with finely chopped vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms.
FAQs
1. Can I use other types of pasta for this recipe?
Yes, this recipe can also work well with large rigatoni or manicotti pasta.
2. What can I use as a substitute for ricotta cheese?
Cottage cheese is the best substitute. It gives your dishes that same creamy texture.
3. Can I prepare this dish in advance?
Absolutely. You can prepare the filling and stuff the pasta shells a day in advance. Refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. Just remember to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.