Description
These Taco Stuffed Shells are a fun and delicious twist on classic stuffed shells! Perfectly cooked jumbo pasta shells are generously filled with a flavorful, seasoned ground beef mixture, then baked in a delicious taco-inspired sauce. The result is a comforting, crowd-pleasing casserole that everyone will love.
Ingredients
18–20 jumbo pasta shells, boil extra in case some break
1 lb. ground beef
3 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup beef broth, can sub chicken broth or water
1 oz. packet taco seasoning
10 oz. diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
1 cup Ricotta cheese
¼ cup sour cream
1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
1 ½ cups Monterey Jack cheese, shredded and divided
½ tsp Salt
¼ tsp pepper
1 teaspoon dried oregano
16 oz. salsa
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375.
Cook pasta shells in salted water, one minute less than al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
Cook and crumble ground beef until softened, about 7 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1-2 more minutes. Drain any grease.
Add beef broth, undrained diced tomatoes, and taco seasoning. Stir until thickened. Let cool.
Combine ricotta, sour cream, half of each cheese, salt, pepper, and oregano. Add meat mixture.
Spread half the salsa in a casserole dish.
Fill each shell with the meat mixture and place them in the dish.
Top with remaining salsa and cheeses.
Cover and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for 10 more minutes. Add taco toppings and serve.
Notes
Don’t overcook the pasta shells! They should be slightly underdone because they will continue to soften in the oven.
Drain the grease from the ground beef after browning it, for a less greasy filling.
To help the shells cook evenly, warm the tomato sauce gently before using it.
Be sure to fill each shell with an equal amount of the meat mixture for a balanced flavor in every bite.
As with many casseroles, let the dish rest for a few minutes after baking, this allows the flavors to truly meld together.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Calories: Approximately 450 per serving (Estimate - values vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes).
- Fat: Approximately 25g per serving (Estimate)
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 35g per serving (Estimate)
- Protein: Approximately 25g per serving (Estimate)