Cheesy Creamy Ricotta Beef Stuffed Shells Pasta Recipe

Shells bursting with creamy ricotta beef create a delightful Italian-inspired feast that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Rich, hearty flavors meld together in this comforting pasta dish.

Each shell cradles a generous blend of savory ground beef and smooth ricotta cheese.

Simple ingredients combine to craft something truly special on your dinner plate.

Weekend cooking becomes an adventure with this inviting recipe.

Herbs and spices weave magic through every single bite.

You’ll want to savor each delectable morsel and share this incredible meal with everyone at the table.

Reasons to Try Creamy Ricotta Beef Stuffed Shells Pasta

• Combines creamy ricotta, savory beef, and melted cheese into a crowd-favorite recipe that appeals to both kids and adults with its rich, hearty flavors.
• Easily adaptable recipe allows home cooks to swap ground beef with turkey, add extra vegetables, or modify seasonings to match personal taste preferences.
• Delivers gourmet-style presentation and flavor complexity typically found in Italian restaurants, transforming a simple pasta dish into an impressive home-cooked meal.

What You’ll Need for Creamy Ricotta Beef Stuffed Shells Pasta

• Jumbo Shells: Large pasta shells perfect for stuffing, choose high-quality pasta for best texture and shape.

• Ground Beef, Ricotta Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Rich protein and cheese combination for hearty, creamy filling.

• Garlic, Dried Oregano, Dried Basil, Salt, Pepper: Classic Italian herbs and spices that enhance the meat and cheese flavors.

• Marinara Sauce, Heavy Cream, Egg: Creates a smooth, creamy sauce that binds the filling and adds richness.

• Fresh Parsley: Bright, fresh herb that adds color and light flavor to the finished dish.

• Olive Oil: Helps prevent sticking and adds subtle flavor during cooking.

How to Assemble and Bake Creamy Ricotta Beef Stuffed Shells Pasta

Step 1: Boil Jumbo Shells

Fill a large pot with water and add salt. Drop the jumbo pasta shells into boiling water and cook until tender. Drain the shells and lightly coat with olive oil to keep them from sticking together.

Step 2: Create Savory Beef Base

• Minced garlic
• Dried oregano
• Dried basil
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir the seasonings into the beef for about one minute.

Step 3: Blend Creamy Cheese Mixture

• Ricotta cheese
• Shredded mozzarella
• Parmesan cheese
• Egg

Season with salt and pepper. Fold the cooked beef into the cheese mixture until well incorporated.

Step 4: Fill and Arrange Shells

Preheat oven to 375°F. Gently stuff each shell with the cheese and beef filling. Place the stuffed shells in a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Step 5: Craft Luxurious Sauce

Warm marinara sauce in a saucepan. Stir in heavy cream until smooth and silky. Season with salt and pepper. Pour the creamy sauce over the stuffed shells.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Cover the baking dish with foil. Bake for 25-30 minutes until heated through. Remove foil, sprinkle additional mozzarella on top. Return to oven for 5 more minutes until cheese melts and turns golden.

Step 7: Finish and Serve

Sprinkle fresh parsley over the shells. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy the rich, comforting flavors.

Handy Tips for Stuffing and Baking Pasta Shells Just Right

• Perfectly Cook Shells: Boil shells just until al dente to prevent them from becoming mushy during baking, ensuring a perfect texture that holds the filling beautifully.
• Drain and Prevent Sticking: After cooking, immediately rinse shells with cold water and lightly coat with olive oil to stop them from clumping together and tearing.
• Lean Beef Selection: Choose ground beef with lower fat content (90/10 or 93/7) to reduce excess grease and create a cleaner, more concentrated flavor in the filling.
• Cheese Mixing Technique: Combine ricotta mixture at room temperature for smoother blending and ensure even distribution of seasonings throughout the filling.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare stuffed shells a day in advance and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld and making meal prep easier for busy days.

Store and Reheat Creamy Ricotta Stuffed Shells Without Drying Out

• Store completely cooled stuffed shells in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Wrap individual portions or entire dish tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze up to 2 months for best quality. Label container with date and contents.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place refrigerated or thawed shells in a baking dish, cover with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Add extra cheese on top for extra deliciousness.
• For quick reheating, place a single serving on microwave-safe plate. Cover with damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warmed.

Dishes That Pair Well with Creamy Ricotta Beef Stuffed Shells

• Choose a medium-bodied Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the rich beef and creamy cheese flavors, cutting through the pasta's richness.
• Create a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the heavy pasta dish, adding brightness and cutting through the creamy texture.
• Serve crispy garlic bread alongside to soak up extra sauce and provide a textural contrast to the soft, stuffed shells, elevating the entire dining experience.
• Include a sparkling water with a slice of lemon or lime to cleanse the palate between bites and provide a refreshing counterpoint to the rich, hearty dish.

Flavor Twists to Try with Ricotta Stuffed Shells

• Vegetarian Stuffed Shells: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or sautéed mushrooms and lentils for a protein-packed meatless version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free jumbo pasta shells and ensure marinara sauce is certified gluten-free for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Swap pasta shells with roasted zucchini boats or blanched cabbage leaves for a lighter, low-carbohydrate alternative.
• Spicy Mexican-Inspired Variation: Add diced green chiles, cumin, and swap marinara for salsa, using pepper jack cheese to create a zesty southwestern-style stuffed shell dish.

Creamy Ricotta Beef Stuffed Shells Pasta Recipe

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4.8 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Comfort meets elegance in classic ricotta beef stuffed shells, a hearty Italian-inspired dish brimming with rich flavors and cheesy goodness. Perfectly baked shells nestled with seasoned beef and creamy ricotta promise a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein and Meat:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 large egg

Dairy and Cheese:

• 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Pasta and Seasoning Components:

• 20–24 jumbo pasta shells
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or basil, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
• 3 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Bring a generously salted water pot to a rolling boil and immerse jumbo pasta shells. Simmer until pasta reaches tender yet firm consistency, approximately 10-12 minutes. Drain thoroughly and lightly coat with olive oil to prevent adhesion.
2. Warm olive oil in a substantial skillet over moderate heat. Introduce ground beef, fragmenting meat while cooking until uniformly browned. Eliminate excess fat, then incorporate garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Sauté briefly to intensify aromatic qualities.
3. In a separate mixing vessel, blend ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, and egg until smooth. Season with subtle salt and pepper. Fold the seasoned beef mixture into the cheese combination, ensuring comprehensive integration.
4. Heat oven to 375°F. Carefully populate each pasta shell with the ricotta-beef mixture, arranging them systematically within a rectangular baking vessel.
5. Gently warm marinara sauce in a saucepan. Introduce heavy cream, whisking until sauce achieves a luxurious, uniform consistency. Calibrate seasoning as needed. Cascade the velvety sauce over stuffed shells.
6. Encase baking dish with aluminum foil and roast for 25-30 minutes until thoroughly heated and sauce effervesces. Unveil, sprinkle remaining mozzarella, and return to oven. Bake an additional 5 minutes until cheese melts and develops golden highlights.
7. Extract from oven and embellish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately to maximize temperature and textural integrity.

Notes

• Choose extra-large jumbo shells to ensure they can hold generous amounts of filling without tearing or breaking during cooking.
• Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent excess grease from making the filling too oily and diluting the rich ricotta flavor.
• For a lighter version, substitute ground beef with lean ground turkey or chicken to reduce overall fat content while maintaining protein levels.
• Consider preparing shells slightly undercooked, as they’ll continue softening during baking and prevent potential mushiness in final dish.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 540
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg