Beef Stuffed Shells with Ricotta 🧀🍝

📝 Ingredients:
12 jumbo pasta shells
1 lb (450g) ground beef
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup marinara sauce (plus extra for topping)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt & pepper to taste
Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
👩‍🍳 Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook pasta shells: Boil the jumbo shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool.
Cook the beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
Prepare the filling:
In a large bowl, mix the cooked beef, ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup of mozzarella, 1/4 cup of Parmesan, the egg, and half the marinara sauce.
Stuff the shells:
Fill each shell with about 2 tablespoons of the beef-ricotta mixture.
Assemble the dish:
Spread a layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish. Arrange the stuffed shells in the dish. Spoon more marinara sauce over the top. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
Bake:
Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Garnish and serve:
Let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm.
✨ Tip: Make it ahead and refrigerate overnight before baking for an easy dinner option!