My husband and I usually sit down on Sunday afternoon and do a rough meal plan for the week. It makes it easier for me because it cuts down on multiple trips to the grocery store. It also keeps us from saying “so… what do you want for dinner?” 15 minutes before dinnertime.
While discussing this past week’s meals I suggested maybe we do stuffed shells. My husband reported that he didn’t recall ever having them. That response sealed the deal for me, and I decided that stuffed shells would definitely be on the menu.
Ultimate Stuffed Shells
My daughter eats my lasagna roll ups like they’re going out of style so I had a feeling she’d like the stuffed shells, too. I mean, pasta stuffed with cheese, how can you go wrong?
My husband likes his food a little more hearty than just cheese, so I also mixed in some ground beef, mushrooms and black olives. It makes a very satisfying, very tasty meal that also freezes and reheats well.
- 1 box jumbo pasta shells
- 1 egg
- 1 container (15 oz) ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 pound ground beef
- 4 ounces mushrooms
- 2 ounces black olives
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- ½ tsp garlic salt
- 1 jar pasta sauce (I use the kind with mushrooms)
- Preheat oven to 375.
- Spray a 9x13" pan with cooking spray and set aside.
- Cook pasta shells al dente according to the instructions on the box.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, lightly beat egg.
- Stir in the ricotta, Parmesan, 1½ cups shredded mozzarella, pepper, salt and garlic salt.
- In a medium skillet brown the ground beef.
- Mix in minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Stir beef mixture into cheese mixture (don't drain the drippings), reserving about ¼ cup of the ground beef. Set aside.
- In the same skillet, saute mushrooms and olives in the beef drippings until soft, about 3-4 minutes.
- Finely mince mushroom & olive mixture (you can also place in a food processor and give a few pulses).
- Fold mushrooms & olives into cheese and beef mixture.
- Pour ½ cup pasta sauce into the bottom of your prepared 9x13" pan.
- Fill each shell with 2 tablespoons of filling. Continue with remaining shells, placing them all in the pan.
- Pour remaining pasta sauce over the top of the shells.
- Sprinkle with reserved ground beef and remaining ½ cup shredded mozzarella.
- Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
I used the Homestyle Thick and Hearty Mushroom Sauce for my stuffed shells. After my husband mentioned how much he liked the meat variety that I used in my lasagna roll ups, I’ve tried to keep a jar or two on hand for when I don’t have the time (or desire) to make homemade sauce.
There are no artificial flavors, artificial colors or high fructose corn syrup in Ragú Homestyle sauce so I feel good about serving it to my family, too.
After you’ve pinned and tried my Ultimate Stuffed Shells recipe, you can head over to Ragú’s website for more recipe inspiration.
What filling do you like in your stuffed shells?
About Liza
Liza is a mom (5-year-old daughter, 20-year-old stepson, and 24-year-old stepdaughter) and wife living in Louisville. She loves spending time with her family, visiting the local zoo and parks, as well as planning travel adventures. Cooking and baking, DIY projects and crafts, and coffee - lots and lots of coffee - round out some of her other hobbies.
Oh, these do look like the ultimate stuffed shells. I love that they are packed with mushrooms and beef. YUM
The mushrooms are my favorite part, too, Megan!
These look so good, will have to try them. I’m so bad about meal planning but I need to make myself do it. It really saves a lot of frustration (trying to come up with something for dinner). It also saves me money at the grocery if I plan ahead. When I don’t make meal plans, I feel like I’m running to the grocery every other day.
I love pasta and this one sounds amazing yummy Come see all the great recipes we share as well at http://shopannies.blogspot.com
Stuffed pasta’s are a favorite around our house! Definitely saving this recipe~
I love these shells, they look delicious. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday, your recipe is great! Hope you have a wonderful week and come back to see us real soon.
Miz Helen
These sound Heavenly!!
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
These shells look absolutely delicious! Can’t wait to try them with my hubby. Thank you for sharing at Merry Monday!
Thanks Amanda! Hope you and your husband love them!
Hi Liza, What’s not to like about stuffed shells? Thanks for sharing another variation on a great theme! Blessings, Janet
What a wonderful hearty dish. I have been using Ragu for years. Love the idea of stuffed pasta. Thanks for sharing at DI&DI.
It’s definitely filling Linda! A very satisfying meal.
Ragu is what my Mom used when she didn’t make her own sauce, so I tend to gravitate to it, too.
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Stuffed shells are one of my favorite dishes! I definitely need to try these! Thanks for linking up with our Creative Spark party. Yours was our most-clicked link last week! We’ll be featuring your recipe at this week’s party, which kicks off tomorrow morning at 6am EST. Hope you’ll stop by and link up with us again!
Thanks Emily! And thanks for the feature!
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Oh my goodness gracious, this looks divine!!!! I especially your food-tography
totally pinning, have a great day! xo
Thank you so much Jae!
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