Stuffed shells with meat

Stuffed shells with meat are a delicious Italian dish featuring large pasta shells filled with a savory mixture of meat, cheese, and seasonings, then baked in marinara sauce and topped with more cheese. Here’s a recipe to guide you through making this comforting dish:

Ingredients:

• For the Meat Filling:
  • 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of ground beef and pork)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning (or a mix of dried basil, oregano, and thyme)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 egg (to help bind the mixture)
• For the Pasta:
  • 20-24 large pasta shells (also called “conchiglioni”)
  • Salt (for boiling the pasta)
• For the Sauce:
  • 3 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• For Topping:
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh basil (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven:

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Cook the pasta shells:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Cook the pasta shells according to the package instructions until al dente (firm to the bite).
• Drain and set aside to cool slightly. Be careful not to overcook, as the shells will cook further in the oven.

3. Prepare the meat filling:

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