Creamy Ricotta Beef Stuffed Shells Pasta 🍝

Fill your family’s plates with goodness—these stuffed shells are hearty and flavorful, perfect for busy weeknights! 🍽️

🍽️ Ingredients 🍽️  
- 1 lb lean ground beef  
- 20 large pasta shells  
- 8 oz ricotta cheese  
- 2 cups marinara sauce  
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese  
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese  
- 1 large egg  
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning  
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder  
- Salt and pepper to taste  

🧑‍🍳 Directions 🧑‍🍳  
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).  
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until it’s fully cooked, then drain any excess fat.  
3. In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Mix until smooth.  
4. Once the beef is cooked, stir it into the ricotta mixture and combine thoroughly.  
5. Cook the pasta shells according to the package instructions until al dente; drain and let cool slightly.  
6. In a baking dish, spread a layer of marinara sauce on the bottom.  
7. Stuff each shell with the ricotta beef mixture, then place the filled shells in the baking dish.  
8. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells and sprinkle with mozzarella and the rest of the Parmesan cheese.  
9. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.  
10. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.  

🍎 Nutritional Information 🍎  
Approximate values per serving (1/4 of the dish):  
- Calories: 450  
- Carbohydrates: 45g  
- Protein: 30g  
- Fat: 18g  

💡 Tips and Tricks 💡  
- For an extra punch of flavor, add your favorite herbs or spices to the ground beef while cooking.  
- Serve with a fresh side salad for a complete meal that everyone will love!  
- You can make these ahead of time and freeze before baking for an easy weeknight dinner option.  

⏳ Preparation time 🍰  
Preparation time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 30 minutes | Serving: 4