Baked Stuffed Pasta Shells

By

Easy to make family favorite!

  • 8
  • Average
  • 60 mins
  • 30 mins
  • Average budget

Ingredients

  • 32 jumbo shells
  • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, pork, turkey, or chicken
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/1 cups shredded mozzarella
  • 1 cup fresh bread crumbs
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 cups spaghetti sauce

Preparation

Step 1

* Bring a very large pot of salted water to a full rolling boil.
* Drop the pasta shells into the boiling water, a few at a time, stirring to keep them separated.
* Cook until almost flexible, being careful not to overcook.
* Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold running water.

Step 2

* In a large skillet combine the ground meat and garlic.
* Cook over medium high, stirring to break up lumps, until meat is no longer pink.
* Drain off fat from pan.
* Remove from heat and transfer to large mixing bowl.
* Let cool until just warm.

Step 3

* To the cooked meat mixture, add the shredded mozzarella, bread crumbs, eggs, 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese, parsley, salt and pepper.
* Mix well.

Step 4

In one 9 X 13" baking dish, or 2- 8 " square pans, spoon a layer of spaghetti sauce (2 cups for larger pan, 1 cup for each smaller pan).
* Working with one pasta shell at a time, spoon in some meat filling.
* Place each shell onto the spaghetti sauce. (There should be enough filling to fill 30 shells).
* Arrange shells in tight rows in baking dish.
* Dollop remaining spaghetti sauce over top of shells.
* Sprinkle with remaining parmesan cheese.
* Cover tightly with foil.
* * At this point you can bake immediately, refrigerate several hours, or freeze for another time.

Step 5

* Bake in oven, preheated to 375 degrees F. for o0-35 minutes, or until bubbly.

Serve with a green salad and crusty rolls for a satisfying meal.