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Million Dollar Stuffed Shells Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 130 reviews

Million Dollar Stuffed Shells is a comforting Italian-American baked pasta dish featuring jumbo pasta shells stuffed with a creamy, cheesy mixture and topped with a rich meat marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. This hearty casserole is perfect for family dinners and gatherings, combining savory ground beef and Italian sausage with a tangy, creamy cheese filling baked to bubbly perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 1 (12-ounce) box jumbo shell pasta (about 24 shells)

Meat Sauce

  • ½ pound lean ground beef
  • ½ pound mild Italian sausage
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ⅓ cup diced onion (about half a medium onion)
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 3 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought, about 1 24-ounce jar)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt (to taste)
  • Ground black pepper (to taste)

Cheese Filling

  • 8 ounces softened cream cheese
  • 1 cup small-curd cottage cheese (or whole-milk ricotta cheese)
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
  • ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese

Garnish

  • Chopped fresh parsley or basil (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking, and set it aside.
  2. Boil the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the jumbo shell pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, or slightly undercook by a couple of minutes to prevent over-softening during baking.
  3. Cool Shells: Drain the pasta shells and rinse them under cold water to halt the cooking process. Toss them gently with 1-2 teaspoons of olive oil to keep them from sticking together.
  4. Brown the Meat: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage for 7-10 minutes until fully browned and no pink remains. Break the meat into small crumbles as it cooks and drain off any excess grease.
  5. Sauté Onion and Garlic, then Add Sauce: To the skillet with meat, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and diced onion. Cook for about 2 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute. Add marinara sauce and Italian seasoning, then season with salt and black pepper to taste. Remove from heat.
  6. Prepare the Cheese Filling: In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, cottage cheese (or ricotta), sour cream, 1 ⅓ cups of mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese. Mix well by hand or with an electric mixer until smooth and evenly combined.
  7. Assemble the Dish: Spread about three-quarters of the meat sauce evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Stuff each cooked pasta shell with approximately 2 tablespoons of the cheese filling and arrange the filled shells in an even layer over the sauce.
  8. Top and Bake: Spoon the remaining sauce over the shells and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese across the top. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
  9. Serve: Allow the stuffed shells to rest for about 5 minutes after removing from the oven. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or basil if desired before serving.

Notes

  • For a creamier filling, ricotta cheese can be substituted for cottage cheese.
  • Undercook the pasta slightly to prevent mushy shells after baking.
  • Feel free to use homemade marinara sauce for a fresher flavor.
  • For added spice, add red pepper flakes to the sauce.
  • Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated.

Keywords: stuffed shells, baked pasta, Italian casserole, cheesy pasta shells, meat sauce, comfort food, family dinner

Find it online: https://www.sanacooks.com/million-dollar-stuffed-shells-recipe/