Creamy Ricotta Beef Stuffed Shells Pasta 🍝

Savor quality family time with this hearty dish that’s sure to please even the pickiest eaters! Don’t wait—grab your ingredients today!

🍽️  Ingredients 🍽️  
- 1 lb lean ground beef  
- 20 large pasta shells  
- 1 cup ricotta cheese  
- 1 cup marinara sauce  
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese  
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese  
- 1 tsp garlic powder  
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning  
- 1/2 tsp salt  
- 1/4 tsp black pepper  
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

🧑‍🍳 Directions 🧑‍🍳  
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).  
2. Cook the large pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.  
3. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain excess fat.  
4. Stir in ricotta cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper until well combined.  
5. Carefully stuff each pasta shell with the beef and ricotta mixture.  
6. Spread half of the marinara sauce in the bottom of a baking dish. Arrange the stuffed shells on top.  
7. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the shells, then sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.  
8. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.  
9. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.  
10. Let it cool for a few minutes, garnish with fresh basil if desired, and serve with a side salad or garlic bread.

🍎 Nutritional Information 🍎  
Approximate nutritional content per serving (based on 6 servings):  
- Calories: 450  
- Carbohydrates: 45g  
- Protein: 30g  
- Fats: 20g  
- Saturated Fat: 10g  
- Fiber: 2g  

💡 Tips and Tricks 💡  
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.  
- Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or zucchini to the stuffing mixture for extra nutrients.  
- This dish can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 2 days before baking.

⏳ Preparation time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 35 minutes | Serving: 6.