Post Title: Cheesy Shrimp and Beef Stuffed Shells – Ultimate Comfort Food for Family Dinners
Are you a fan of hearty homemade dinners? Do cheesy, flavorful dishes make your family come back for seconds? If yes, then this Cheesy Shrimp and Beef Stuffed Shells recipe was made just for you. It’s not only simple and delicious but also a perfect way to satiate your cheesy comfort food cravings!
## Why Make This Recipe
Cheesy Shrimp and Beef Stuffed Shells is an easy-to-make yet incredibly delightful dish. It combines the rich taste of chopped shrimp and ground beef with the creamy goodness of three types of cheese – ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan.
It’s not just the taste that’s appealing; this dish can be prepared in under an hour, making it an ideal choice for busy weekdays or when unexpected guests drop by for dinner.
## How to Make Cheesy Shrimp and Beef Stuffed Shells
### Ingredients:
– 12 large pasta shells
– 1 cup cooked shrimp, chopped
– 1/2 lb ground beef
– 1 small onion, diced
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 cup ricotta cheese
– 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
– 1 cup marinara sauce
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1 tsp Italian seasoning
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
### Directions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook pasta shells as per package instructions till they’re al dente. Drain them and keep them aside.
3. Heat a skillet on medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic until they’re translucent. Add ground beef and cook until it turns brown. Drain any excess fat.
4. In a bowl, mix the cooked beef, chopped shrimp, ricotta, half of mozzarella, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper.
5. Spread marinara sauce at the bottom of a baking dish.
6. Stuff each pasta shell with the shrimp-beef mixture and place them on the marinara sauce in the baking dish.
7. Pour the remaining marinara sauce on top and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella along with parmesan cheese.
8. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes till the cheese turns golden and bubbly.
9. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.
## How to Serve Cheesy Shrimp and Beef Stuffed Shells
This dish can be served as a main course for dinner along with a simple salad or roasted vegetables on the side. For serving, scoop a few stuffed shells onto a plate, making sure to get some of the delicious bubbly cheese on top.
## How to Store Cheesy Shrimp and Beef Stuffed Shells
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can either microwave them or bake them at 350°F till the insides are hot.
## Tips to Make Cheesy Shrimp and Beef Stuffed Shells
Always cook the pasta al dente as it continues to cook in the oven. Overcooked pasta may get too soft. You can add other spices as per your preference. For more creaminess, you can add cream cheese to the stuffing.
## Variation
You can experiment with the protein in the stuffing. Try replacing shrimp with chicken or beef with turkey. You can also add different kinds of cheese to make it even more cheesy.
## FAQs
1. Can I freeze these stuffed shells?
Yes, you can freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to one month. To reheat, bake them at 350°F until they are hot.
2. Can I use gluten-free shells?
Yes, you can substitute regular pasta with gluten-free pasta shells.
3. Can I add vegetables to this dish?
Yes, you can add finely chopped vegetables like bell peppers or spinach to the stuffing for additional flavor and nutrition.
Enjoy the comfort of cheesy goodness with wholesome shrimp and beef in every bite with these easy to make Stuffed Shells!