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Delicious homemade stuffed shells filled with cheese and herbs served on a plate
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5 from 1 vote

Homemade Stuffed Shells

A comforting dish of jumbo pasta shells filled with a creamy, savory cheese mixture and topped with rich spaghetti sauce and melted cheese.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Course: Main
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Comfort Food
Servings: 4 servings

Equipment

  • Baking Dish
  • Skillet
  • Mixing Bowl

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 1/2 pound jumbo pasta shells

Filling

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 tablespoons Italian herbs
  • 2 cups spaghetti sauce
  • 2 cups ricotta or cottage cheese
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded plus more for topping
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated plus more for topping
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry optional

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a large baking dish.
  • Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to package instructions, but stop a minute or two before al dente—they’ll finish cooking in the oven. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
  • While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 3-5 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
  • Add ground beef, salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Cook, breaking up the meat, until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.
  • Pour in 1 cup of the spaghetti sauce and let simmer with the beef mixture for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  • In a large bowl, mix together ricotta or cottage cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, 1/2 cup parmesan, beaten egg, and spinach (if using).
  • Fold the cooled beef mixture into the cheese mixture until well combined.
  • Spread 1 cup of the remaining spaghetti sauce in the bottom of your prepared baking dish.
  • Stuff each shell generously with the filling—about 2 tablespoons per shell—and arrange in the dish, open side up.
  • Once all shells are filled, pour the rest of the sauce over the top, and sprinkle generously with extra mozzarella and parmesan.
  • Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling and golden.
  • Let rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

Serve with a crisp green salad and garlic bread for a complete meal.