This Creamy Ricotta Beef Stuffed Shells Pasta Recipe is a deliciously comforting Italian-inspired dinner. Jumbo pasta shells are packed with a rich mixture of seasoned ground beef, creamy ricotta, and mozzarella, then baked in savory marinara sauce for a gooey, flavorful finish. Perfect for weeknight meals or gatherings, this baked pasta dish is a crowd-pleaser loaded with hearty flavor and cheesy goodness.
20 jumbo pasta shells
1 lb ground beef
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
2 cups marinara sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook pasta shells according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
In a skillet, cook ground beef with garlic until browned; season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
In a bowl, combine ricotta, half the mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, and cooked beef. Mix well.
Fill each shell with the beef and cheese mixture.
Spread half the marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.
Arrange stuffed shells in the dish and top with remaining marinara and mozzarella.
Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10 more minutes until bubbly and golden.
Garnish with fresh herbs and serve hot.
You can make this dish ahead and freeze it before baking.
Swap beef for ground turkey or sausage for variety.
Add spinach to the filling for extra veggies.