🍝 Creamy Ricotta Beef Stuffed Shells 🧀

Savor the Comfort: A Perfect Dish for Family Dinners

🍽️ Ingredients 🍽️

- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded plus extra for topping
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 box jumbo pasta shells
- Fresh basil, for garnish
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup ricotta cheese

🧑‍🍳 Directions 🧑‍🍳

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Boil the pasta shells as per the package instructions until al dente, drain, and set aside to cool.
3. In a skillet, season the ground beef with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until browned, then drain any excess grease and let it cool slightly.
4. In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, and egg. Stir in the cooled ground beef until everything is well mixed.
5. Take each pasta shell and stuff it generously with the beef and cheese mixture.
6. Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce in the bottom of a baking dish. Arrange the stuffed shells over the sauce.
7. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the shells and sprinkle with additional mozzarella cheese.
8. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
9. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

🍎 Nutritional Information 🍎

- Calories: 320 per serving
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Protein: 22g
- Fat: 14g
- Sodium: 590mg
- Fiber: 2g

💡 Tips and Tricks 💡

- For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey or chicken for beef.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the beef as it cooks for a spicy kick.
- If you have leftovers, they reheat wonderfully in the microwave or oven.

⏳ Preparation time ⏳

Preparation time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 35 minutes | Serving: Serves 6