Stuffed Shells with Ground Beef

This hearty and easy stuffed shells with ground beef recipe is the perfect make ahead meal that the whole family will love!

Course dinner, Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Keyword ground beef, marinara, pasta, shells

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 45

Total Time 1 10

Servings (3 stuffed shells with ground beef sauce)

Calories 439

Preheat oven to 350F.
Cook shells in a large pot of salted water for 2-3 minutes shy of package directions (just under al dente). Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil, then saute the onion along with ¼ teaspoon of salt until translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute, stirring frequently.
Add the ground beef and ¼ teaspoon salt. Saute until browned and cooked through, breaking into small pieces, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess oil, if desired.
Add the marinara sauce, stir to combine, then remove from heat.
In a large bowl mix together ricotta, egg, spinach, 1 cup Italian cheese blend, ¼ cup parmesan, and ¼ teaspoon salt, stirring to combine.
Once the shells are cooked and cooled, fill each shell (about 2 heaping tablespoons) with the ricotta-spinach mixture.
Add half the beef marinara sauce to the bottom of a large baking dish, spreading to cover.
Arrange the shells in the baking dish, then top with remaining beef marinara sauce and remaining 1 cup mozzarella and ¼ cup parmesan.
Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes, then uncover and bake an additional 5 minutes.
Sprinkle with parsley, if using, and serve.

Use Good Sauce: I love using my easy marinara sauce in this recipe (which can also be made ahead of time), however if you don’t have any on hand or time to make it, make sure to choose a good quality store bought marinara.
No Jumbo Shells? If you want to make this recipe, but don't have jumbo shells, I highly recommend trying my classic baked ziti, which can be made with any shape pasta, including small shells.