Best 2 Simple Stuffed Shells Recipes
If you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal that's also delicious and satisfying, stuffed shells are the perfect solution. This classic Italian dish is made with jumbo pasta shells that are stuffed with a mixture of cheese, herbs, and your choice of meat or vegetables. Once the shells are stuffed, they are baked in a flavorful sauce until they are tender and bubbly. The result is a hearty and comforting meal that is sure to please the whole family.
Let's cook with our recipes!
SIMPLE STUFFED SHELLS
A make-ahead version of an Italian classic, these cooked pasta shells are stuffed with hearty beef, ricotta and mozzarella. Make a double batch and keep one in the freezer for a handy potluck dish.
Provided by By Paula Jones
Categories Entree
Time 1h30m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
- In 2-quart saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add beef. Cook 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is thoroughly cooked. Stir in tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low; cook uncovered about 20 minutes until liquid is reduced.
- Meanwhile, cook and drain pasta shells as directed on box, using minimum cook time. Rinse with cold water to cool; drain.
- In medium bowl, mix ricotta cheese, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese, the egg and 2 tablespoons basil.
- Spoon about 2 cups meat sauce into baking dish. Using small spoon, carefully fill each pasta shell with about 2 tablespoons cheese mixture (do not overfill). Invert shells and place on sauce in baking dish. Spoon remaining meat sauce over shells. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
- Bake uncovered about 30 minutes until sauce is bubbly and cheese is melted. Garnish with additional basil.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 680, Carbohydrate 62 g, Cholesterol 125 mg, Fat 1 1/2, Fiber 4 g, Protein 43 g, SaturatedFat 13 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 870 mg, Sugar 6 g, TransFat 1 g
SIMPLE STUFFED SHELLS (WITH NO MEAT OPTION)
For nights when you are too tired to fuss much. Adapted from Woman's Day. The cook time includes 20 minutes for cooking the pasta shells - this goes even faster if you already have your shells cooked,& drained in advance. NOTE: You might not need all of the shells in the box - before cooking, lay out the dry shells in your pan first to see how many you will need and only cook that many.
Provided by HeatherFeather
Categories Pasta Shells
Time 1h15m
Yield 10-12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 F and grease a 9x13" casserole; if you have not already done so, prepare pasta shells according to package directions and also brown your sausage, drain & crumble.
- Meanwhile, combine 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese, all of the ricotta (use 2 cups if not using meat or if you like it very cheesey, even if you are using meat, otherwise use just 1 cup), as well as the parsley (reserving a small amount to garnish), egg, Parmesan cheese, garlic, nutmeg and black pepper.
- Pour sauce into the baking dish and then set the unfilled shells on top facing up so that you can fill them.
- Evenly portion out the crumbled sausage, if using, in the bottom of each shell.
- Spoon filling to a large ziptop plastic bag and snip off one corner.
- Pipe about 2 Tbsp filling into the each of the prepared pasta shells, or as much or as little as you prefer.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30-35 minutes or until sauce is bubbling under the foil.
- Remove foil, sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese and bake, uncovered, for about 5 minutes or until the cheese melts.
- Serve extra sauce from the pan on the side.
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make a big difference in the taste of your stuffed shells. Use the best quality pasta, cheese, and meat that you can find.
- Don't overcook the pasta: Al dente pasta is the key to a successful stuffed shell dish. Cook the pasta according to the package directions, but be sure to remove it from the boiling water a minute or two before it's fully cooked.
- Use a variety of cheeses: A combination of cheeses will give your stuffed shells a more complex flavor. Try using a mix of ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses.
- Season the filling well: Don't be afraid to add plenty of herbs, spices, and seasonings to the filling. This will help to create a flavorful dish that everyone will enjoy.
- Stuff the shells carefully: Use a small spoon or your fingers to carefully stuff the shells with the filling. Be sure not to overstuff them, or they will burst open during baking.
- Bake the stuffed shells until golden brown: Bake the stuffed shells in a preheated oven until they are golden brown and bubbly. This will take about 20 minutes.
- Serve the stuffed shells immediately: Stuffed shells are best served hot out of the oven. Top them with additional cheese, sauce, or herbs before serving.
Conclusion:
Stuffed shells are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a few simple tips, you can create a stuffed shell dish that is sure to impress your family and friends. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give stuffed shells a try.
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love
