Ingredients with Measurements:
- 1 box of jumbo pasta shells
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1 cup of ricotta cheese
- 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon of dried basil
- 1 tablespoon of dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1 jar of marinara sauce
Special equipment needed:
- Large pot
- Colander
- Skillet
- Mixing bowl
- 9x13 inch baking dish
- Aluminum foil
Step-by-step instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
3. In a skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Drain any excess fat.
4. In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked ground beef, ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, dried basil, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
5. Stuff each cooked pasta shell with the beef and cheese mixture.
6. Pour half of the marinara sauce into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
7. Arrange the stuffed shells in the baking dish.
8. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells.
9. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
10. Bake for 25 minutes.
11. Remove the aluminum foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
12. Let the stuffed shells cool for a few minutes before serving.
Time:
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 40-45 minutes
5. Temperature:
375°F
Serving size:
6-8 servings
Nutritional information:
Calories: 450
Fat: 22g
Carbohydrates: 34g
Protein: 29g
Sodium: 970mg
Sugar: 7g
Substitutions for ingredients:
- Ground beef can be substituted with ground turkey or ground pork.
- Ricotta cheese can be substituted with cottage cheese.
- Marinara sauce can be substituted with tomato sauce or spaghetti sauce.
Variations:
- Vegetarian option: Substitute the ground beef with chopped mushrooms and spinach.
- Seafood option: Substitute the ground beef with cooked shrimp or crab meat.
Tips and tricks:
- To prevent the pasta shells from sticking together, add a little bit of oil to the cooking water.
- Use a piping bag or a small spoon to stuff the pasta shells.
- Leftover stuffed shells can be frozen for later.
Storage instructions:
Leftover stuffed shells can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating instructions:
Reheat the stuffed shells in the microwave or in the oven until heated through.
Presentation ideas:
Serve the stuffed shells on a platter with a sprinkle of chopped parsley or basil.
Garnishes:
Chopped parsley or basil.
Pairings:
Garlic bread and a side salad.
Suggested side dishes:
Garlic bread and a side salad.
Troubleshooting advice:
If the stuffed shells are dry, add a little bit of milk or cream to the beef and cheese mixture.
Food safety advice:
Make sure the ground beef is cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F to prevent foodborne illness.
Food history:
Stuffed shells are a classic Italian-American dish that originated in the United States in the 20th century.
Flavor profiles:
Savory, cheesy, and tomatoey.
Serving suggestions:
Serve the stuffed shells as a main course for dinner.
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Region: Italian