Beef-Stuffed Shells with Creamy Ricotta Filling

A comforting, crowd-pleasing baked pasta dish that brings Italian-style coziness to your dinner table.

When you’re craving a hearty, cheesy, soul-satisfying meal, nothing hits the spot quite like stuffed pasta shells. These Beef-Stuffed Shells with Creamy Ricotta Filling combine savory seasoned ground beef, smooth ricotta, melted mozzarella, and rich marinara sauce into a bubbling, golden casserole that looks impressive but is surprisingly simple to make.

Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep, this dish delivers bold flavor and comforting texture with every bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔ Hearty and filling
✔ Easy to assemble
✔ Freezer-friendly
✔ Delicious leftovers
✔ A true comfort classic

The combination of tomato, tender pasta, creamy cheese, and savory beef is one everyone loves—kids included!

Ingredients

For the Pasta

• 20–25 jumbo pasta shells

For the Beef Filling

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 2–3 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 cup ricotta cheese

• ½ cup shredded mozzarella

• ¼ cup grated Parmesan

• 1 large egg

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• Salt and pepper, to taste

For Assembly

• 3 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)

• 1–1½ cups shredded mozzarella

• Extra Parmesan, for topping

• Fresh basil or parsley (optional)

How to Make Beef-Stuffed Shells with Creamy Ricotta Filling

1. Cook the Pasta Shells

Boil the shells in salted water just until al dente—they’ll finish cooking in the oven.
Drain and rinse lightly with cool water to keep them from sticking.

2. Prepare the Savory Beef Mixture

1. In a skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned.

2. Add the onion and garlic; cook until softened and fragrant.

3. Drain excess fat, then let the mixture cool slightly.

3. Make the Creamy Ricotta Filling

In a mixing bowl, combine:

• Ricotta

• Mozzarella

• Parmesan

• Egg

• Italian seasoning

• Salt and pepper

Fold the cooled beef mixture into the ricotta mixture until well combined. This creates a rich, creamy, protein-packed filling.

4. Assemble the Dish

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.

3. Fill each shell generously with the beef-ricotta mixture.

4. Arrange stuffed shells in a single layer.

5. Spoon the remaining marinara sauce on top.

6. Finish with a generous layer of mozzarella and Parmesan.

5. Bake Until Bubbly and Golden

Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and lightly golden.

Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving—this helps the shells set and makes serving easier.

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