Creamy Ricotta Beef Stuffed Shells Pasta
🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need:
- The Sturdy Pasta Vessels:
- 12-15 Jumbo Pasta Shells: Boiled just until al dente so they hold their shape perfectly for stuffing.
- The Hearty Beef Filling:
- 1 lb Lean ground beef: Browned beautifully and drained of excess oil.
- 1 Small yellow onion: Finely diced.
- 2 Cloves garlic: Mined.
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning mix: A classic blend of oregano, basil, and rosemary.
- Salt & Freshly cracked black pepper: To taste.
- The Velvet Cheese Blend:
- 15 oz Ricotta cheese: For that ultra-creamy, smooth texture base.
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated for a sharp, savory bite.
- 1 Large egg: To bind the cheese filling together smoothly.
- The Saucy Foundation & Crown:
- 2 ½ cups Marinara or Tomato sauce: Your favorite high-quality brand to coat the bottom of the pan and surrounding edges.
- 1 ½ cups Mozzarella cheese: Freshly shredded to form those picture-perfect melted cheese circles right on top of each shell.
- The Fresh Garnish:
- 2 tbsp Fresh parsley or basil: Finely chopped to scatter for a beautiful color contrast.
👨🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prep the Oven & Bake Station
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grab a large, deep baking dish and pour a generous layer of your favorite marinara sauce (about 1 ½ to 2 cups) evenly across the entire bottom to create a rich, bubbly foundation. 🎛️🥫
