Introduction
Few dishes capture the essence of Italian-American comfort food like beef-stuffed shells with creamy ricotta filling. The combination of perfectly cooked jumbo pasta shells, savory seasoned beef, rich ricotta cheese, and a luscious marinara sauce creates a meal that’s both hearty and satisfying. This dish is a crowd-pleaser, perfect for family dinners, gatherings, or meal prep.
If you love baked pasta dishes like lasagna or manicotti, then this recipe is a must-try! With melty cheese, bold Italian spices, and a comforting homemade touch, beef-stuffed shells are guaranteed to become a favorite in your home.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the history of stuffed shells, a step-by-step recipe, expert tips, variations, storage instructions, and FAQs to ensure you create a flawless, restaurant-quality dish at home.
The History of beef-stuffed shells with creamy ricotta filling
Though pasta-stuffed dishes have been around for centuries, the specific recipe of stuffed shells (conchiglioni ripieni) originated in Italy. Italian grandmothers would fill large pasta shells with ricotta cheese, spinach, or meat and bake them in a rustic tomato sauce. This dish became popular in Italian-American cuisine, where it evolved to include ground beef, sausage, and extra cheese for an even richer flavor.
Stuffed shells have now become a household favorite in the U.S., often served at Sunday family dinners, special occasions, or even holidays.
Ingredients for beef-stuffed shells with creamy ricotta filling
For the Filling:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (whole milk for the best texture)
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the Sauce:
- 2 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for spice)
For the Pasta:
- 20-24 jumbo pasta shells
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (to prevent sticking)
For Topping:
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
- Add the jumbo pasta shells and cook until al dente (about 10 minutes).
- Drain the pasta, rinse under cold water, and drizzle with olive oil to prevent sticking.
📌 Pro Tip: Slightly undercook the shells since they will continue cooking in the oven!
Step 2: Prepare the Beef Filling
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and brown the ground beef until fully cooked.
- Drain excess grease and stir in minced garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and egg.
- Add the cooled beef mixture to the cheese mixture and mix until smooth.
📌 Pro Tip: Let the beef cool before mixing with ricotta to prevent curdling!
Step 3: Stuff the Shells
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Using a spoon or piping bag, fill each pasta shell with about 2 tablespoons of beef-ricotta mixture.
- Arrange the stuffed shells in a single layer in the baking dish.
Step 4: Assemble & Bake
- Pour the remaining 1 cup of marinara sauce over the shells.
- Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Step 5: Serve & Enjoy
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley.
- Serve with garlic bread and a side salad for a complete meal.
Expert Tips for the Best Stuffed Shells
✔ Choose quality ricotta – Whole milk ricotta gives a creamier texture than low-fat versions.
✔ Don’t overfill the shells – Leave a little room for the cheese to expand.
✔ Use freshly grated Parmesan – Pre-shredded cheese won’t melt as smoothly.
✔ Customize your sauce – Add mushrooms, onions, or red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
Variations & Substitutions
🌿 Vegetarian Version
- Swap the beef for sautéed spinach and mushrooms.
- Add extra ricotta for a richer filling.
🥩 Meat Lovers’ Edition
- Use Italian sausage instead of ground beef for a bolder taste.
- Add crispy pancetta or bacon to the filling.
🌶️ Spicy Kick
- Add chopped jalapeños or chili flakes to the beef mixture.
- Use a spicy arrabbiata sauce instead of marinara.
🧀 Extra Cheesy
- Mix cream cheese or burrata into the ricotta filling.
- Top with extra layers of mozzarella before baking.
How to Store & Reheat
Refrigeration:
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezing Instructions:
- Assemble the stuffed shells without baking.
- Cover tightly with foil and freeze for up to 3 months.
- To bake from frozen, add 15 extra minutes to the baking time.
Reheating:
- Oven: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes.
- Microwave: Heat individual portions on medium power for 2-3 minutes.
What to Serve with Beef-Stuffed Shells
🍷 Wine Pairing: Chianti, Sangiovese, or Cabernet Sauvignon complement the rich flavors.
🥗 Sides: Serve with Caesar salad, roasted veggies, or bruschetta.
🍰 Dessert: Finish with tiramisu, cannoli, or panna cotta.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the stuffed shells up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate until ready to bake.
2. Can I use cottage cheese instead of ricotta?
Yes, but blend it for a smoother texture similar to ricotta.
3. What if I don’t have jumbo shells?
Use manicotti or lasagna sheets rolled with the filling.
Final Thoughts
Beef-stuffed shells with creamy ricotta filling are the ultimate comfort food—easy to make, incredibly delicious, and perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re making it for a cozy dinner, meal prep, or a special celebration, this dish is sure to impress!
Try this recipe and let us know how it turned out in the comments below! 😊
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Beef-Stuffed Shells with Creamy Ricotta Filling 🍝🧀
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with these Beef-Stuffed Shells! Jumbo pasta filled with a savory beef and creamy ricotta mixture, all topped with marinara sauce and melted cheese, make for a deliciously satisfying meal.
Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (whole milk for the best texture)
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the Sauce:
- 2 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for spice)
For the Pasta:
- 20–24 jumbo pasta shells
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (to prevent sticking)
For Topping:
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
- Add the jumbo pasta shells and cook until al dente (about 10 minutes).
- Drain the pasta, rinse under cold water, and drizzle with olive oil to prevent sticking.
📌 Pro Tip: Slightly undercook the shells since they will continue cooking in the oven!
Step 2: Prepare the Beef Filling
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and brown the ground beef until fully cooked.
- Drain excess grease and stir in minced garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and egg.
- Add the cooled beef mixture to the cheese mixture and mix until smooth.
📌 Pro Tip: Let the beef cool before mixing with ricotta to prevent curdling!
Step 3: Stuff the Shells
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Using a spoon or piping bag, fill each pasta shell with about 2 tablespoons of beef-ricotta mixture.
- Arrange the stuffed shells in a single layer in the baking dish.
Step 4: Assemble & Bake
- Pour the remaining 1 cup of marinara sauce over the shells.
- Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Step 5: Serve & Enjoy
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley.
- Serve with garlic bread and a side salad for a complete meal.
