Best 7 Taco Stuffed Shells Recipes

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Taco stuffed shells are a delicious and easy-to-make meal that is perfect for busy weeknights. This dish is a fun twist on the classic taco recipe, and it will surely be a hit with your family and friends. Stuffed with a flavorful combination of ground beef, taco seasoning, and cheese, these pasta shells are then baked to perfection and topped with all your favorite taco toppings.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

TACO STUFFED SHELLS



Taco Stuffed Shells image

Not your regular Italian stuffed shells! Easily doubled for a pot luck dinner...it's a great crowd pleaser!

Provided by JenniferLL

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Casserole Recipes     Noodles

Time 1h20m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 10

16 jumbo pasta shells
1 pound ground beef
1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
1 cup water
1 (16 ounce) can refried beans
¾ cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 (16 ounce) jar salsa, divided
¼ cup sliced green onion
¼ cup shredded Cheddar cheese
½ cup sour cream

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Stir in the shell pasta, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, until just slightly firm to the bite, about 13 minutes. Drain well.
  • Brown the ground beef in a large skillet; drain fat. Stir in the taco seasoning and water; cook over low heat until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir the refried beans and 3/4 cup Cheddar cheese into the taco meat. Spoon meat mixture into prepared pasta shells.
  • Spoon 1/4 cup salsa over the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Arrange filled shells over salsa. Spoon remaining salsa over shells.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes. Remove from oven; sprinkle with sliced green onion and 1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese. Serve with sour cream.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 361.4 calories, Carbohydrate 30.4 g, Cholesterol 60.5 mg, Fat 17.6 g, Fiber 4.6 g, Protein 19.8 g, SaturatedFat 8.7 g, Sodium 956.7 mg, Sugar 3.3 g

TACO STUFFED PASTA SHELLS



Taco Stuffed Pasta Shells image

Here's a kid-friendly dish so flavorful and fun, nobody is likely to guess that it's also lower in fat. It's a great family supper for busy weeknights! -Anne Thomsen, Westchester, Ohio

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 50m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 7

18 uncooked jumbo pasta shells
1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean)
2 teaspoons chili powder
3 ounces fat-free cream cheese, cubed
1 bottle (16 ounces) taco sauce, divided
3/4 cup shredded reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend, divided
20 baked tortilla chip scoops, coarsely crushed

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water; drain again., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook and crumble beef over medium-high heat until no longer pink, 6-8 minutes. Stir in chili powder, cream cheese and 1/2 cup taco sauce until blended. Stir in 1/4 cup shredded cheese., Spoon about 2 tablespoons filling into each shell. Place in an 11x7-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top with remaining taco sauce., Bake, covered, until heated through, 20-25 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cheese; bake, uncovered, until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with chips., Freeze option: Cool unbaked casserole; cover and freeze. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Cover casserole with foil; bake as directed, increasing time as necessary to heat through and for a thermometer inserted in center to read 165°. Top with cheese and chips as directed.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 384 calories, Fat 13g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 67mg cholesterol, Sodium 665mg sodium, Carbohydrate 33g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 33g protein.

TACO STUFFED PASTA SHELLS



Taco Stuffed Pasta Shells image

Make and share this Taco Stuffed Pasta Shells recipe from Food.com.

Provided by LMillerRN

Categories     Pasta Shells

Time 1h

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

16 large dried pasta shells, prepared according to package directions, rinsed and drained
1 lb extra lean ground beef
1 (1 1/4 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
1 cup water
1 (16 ounce) can refried black beans
1 cup shredded low-fat cheddar cheese, divided
1 (16 ounce) jar salsa, divided (mild)
1/4 cup sliced green onion
sour cream (optional)

Steps:

  • PREHEAT oven to 350°F Cook beef in large skillet until brown; drain. Add seasoning mix and water; cook over low heat for 5 minutes or until thickened. Add beans and 3/4-cup cheese; mix well. Spread 1/4-cup salsa over bottom of each of two 8-inch-square (2-quart) baking dishes.
  • FILL pasta shells with beef mixture; place half of shells in each baking dish, filled side up. Spoon remaining salsa over shells. Cover one baking dish with plastic wrap, then wrap with foil. Label and freeze for up to 2 months.
  • COVER remaining baking dish with foil. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with green onions and remaining cheese. Serve with sour cream.
  • TO BAKE FROZEN SHELLS: Place baking dish in the refrigerator overnight. Preheat oven to 375°F Remove plastic wrap; recover with foil. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup sliced green onions and 1/4 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese. Serve with sour cream.

TACO STUFFED PASTA SHELLS



Taco Stuffed Pasta shells image

I found this recipe in a magazine a couple of years ago and it is a favorite at our house. We love cream cheese so I usually add a bit more than what the recipe calls for. The original recipe says you can double it and freeze one pan for up to 90 days. I haven't tried that but if you do, let me know how it turns out.

Provided by Shermm

Categories     Pasta Shells

Time 1h

Yield 5-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 lb ground beef
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 (4 ounce) package cream cheese
12 large pasta shells
1 cup salsa
1 cup taco sauce
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese
1 1/2 cups crushed tortilla chips
1 cup sour cream
3 green onions, chopped

Steps:

  • COOK BEEF.
  • ADD TACO SEASONING AND PREPARE ACCORDING TO PKG DIRECTIONS.
  • ADD CREAM CHEESE.
  • COVER AND SIMMER UNTIL CREAM CHEESE IS MELTED.
  • YOU CAN CHILL THE MEAT SO YOU CAN STUFF THE SHELLS EASIER.
  • POUR SALSA IN THE BOTTOM OF A GREASED 9 X 13 IN PAN.
  • WHILE THE HAMBURGER IS COOKING, COOK THE PASTA, DRAIN, TOSS WITH BUTTER.
  • FILL EACH SHELL.
  • PLACE IN BOTTOM OF PAN AND TOP WITH TACO SAUCE.
  • COVER AND BAKE AT 350 FOR 30 MINUTES.
  • UNCOVER,SPRINKLE WITH CHEESES AND CHIPS.
  • BAKE 15 MINUTES LONGER OR UNTIL HEATED THROUGH.
  • SERVE WITH SOUR CREAM, MORE SALSA, OR WHATEVER ELSE YOU THINK GOES GOOD WITH TACOS.

TACO STUFFED PASTA SHELLS



Taco Stuffed Pasta Shells image

Make and share this Taco Stuffed Pasta Shells recipe from Food.com.

Provided by looneytunesfan

Categories     Pasta Shells

Time 1h10m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 1/4 lbs ground beef
1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon chili powder
18 large pasta shells
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup taco sauce
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup monterey jack cheese, shredded
1 1/2 cups tortilla chips, crushed
1 cup sour cream
guacamole

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, brown beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Add cream cheese, salt and chili powder; mix and simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain. Toss cooked shells in butter.
  • Preheat oven to 350*.
  • Fill shells with beef mixture and arrange in a 9x13 inch baking dish; pour taco sauce over shells. Cover with foil and bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes.
  • Remove dish from oven and top with Cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese and tortilla chips; return dish to oven to cook for 15 minutes more.
  • Top with sour cream and guacamole; serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 801.1, Fat 64.8, SaturatedFat 35.5, Cholesterol 215.2, Sodium 1561.8, Carbohydrate 9.2, Fiber 0.6, Sugar 4.4, Protein 44.7

STUFFED TACO SHELLS



Stuffed Taco Shells image

From Taste of Home Healthy. Everyone loves this one. One serving is three stuffed shells. A serving is about 360 calories. This has been one of those go to comfort recipes on my journey to lose weight. I have lost 50 pounds and don't feel deprived. Pair with a nice side salad for a meal that is sure to please and won't kill your waisteline.

Provided by seesko

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 40m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

18 uncooked jumbo pasta shells
1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
1 (16 ounce) bottle taco sauce, divided
3 ounces fat free cream cheese, cubed
2 teaspoons chili powder
3/4 cup shredded reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend, divided
20 baked Tostitos Scoops, coarsely crushed

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, cook beef until no longer pink; drain. Add 1/2 cup taco sauce, cream cheese and chili powder; cook and stir until blended. Stir in 1/4 cup cheese blend.
  • Drain pasta and rinse in cold water; stuff each shell with about 2 tablespoons beef mixture. Arrange in an 11-in. x 7-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Spoon remaining taco sauce over the top.
  • Cover and bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining cheese blend. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until heated through and cheese is melted. Sprinkle with chips.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 247.7, Fat 12, SaturatedFat 4.8, Cholesterol 74.8, Sodium 656.1, Carbohydrate 7.5, Fiber 0.8, Sugar 4.8, Protein 25.8

TACO STUFFED PASTA SHELLS RECIPE - (4.5/5)



Taco Stuffed Pasta Shells Recipe - (4.5/5) image

Provided by froggyess

Number Of Ingredients 7

10 oz uncooked jumbo pasta shells, cooked, drained
1 1/2 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef
1 pouch (8 oz) Old El Paso® roasted tomato Mexican cooking sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups diced tomatoes
2 1/2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend (10 oz)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350°F. Cook and drain pasta shells as directed on box. Meanwhile, in 12-inch skillet, cook beef over medium-high heat 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly cooked. Add cooking sauce and salt; mix well to combine. Add 1/2 cup of the tomatoes and 1/2 cup of the cheese; stir well. Using about 1 heaping tablespoon beef mixture in each, fill cooked pasta shells; place in ungreased 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish. Sprinkle remaining 3/4 cup tomatoes and chopped cilantro over filled shells. Top evenly with remaining 2 cups cheese. Bake 15 minutes or until cheese is melted. To reheat the stuffed pasta shells, cover in foil and reheat in a preheated 350°F oven for about 10 minutes. Serve with Mexican rice and refried beans. Top with hot sauce if you prefer some heat.

Tips:

  • Use a variety of pasta shells. Taco stuffed shells can be made with any type of pasta shell, but some of the most popular choices include jumbo shells, manicotti shells, and conchiglie shells. Choose a shell that is large enough to hold a generous amount of filling, and that is also sturdy enough to withstand being baked.
  • Cook the pasta shells al dente. Al dente pasta is slightly firm to the bite, and it will continue to cook in the oven as the stuffed shells bake. If you cook the pasta shells all the way through before stuffing them, they will become too soft and mushy.
  • Don't overstuff the pasta shells. The shells should be filled, but not so full that they are bursting at the seams. If you overstuff the shells, they will be difficult to bake evenly, and they may also break open.
  • Use a flavorful taco filling. The taco filling is the star of the show in this dish, so make sure it is packed with flavor. Use a variety of spices, such as chili powder, cumin, and oregano, and don't forget the salsa and cheese. You can also add other ingredients to your filling, such as ground beef, chicken, or black beans.
  • Top the stuffed shells with a creamy sauce. A creamy sauce, such as a sour cream sauce or a cheese sauce, will help to keep the stuffed shells moist and flavorful. You can also top the shells with a layer of melted cheese before baking them.

Conclusion:

Taco stuffed shells are a delicious and easy-to-make meal that is perfect for any occasion. They are a great way to use up leftover taco meat, and they are also a fun and creative way to serve pasta. With so many different variations to choose from, you are sure to find a taco stuffed shell recipe that you and your family will love.

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