Name: Stuffed Shells with Meat
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil; 1 red bell pepper, diced; 1 green bell pepper, diced; ¾ – 1 lb ground Italian sausage; ¾ – 1 lb ground beef; 24 oz marinara sauce; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp kosher salt; ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper; 32 oz ricotta cheese; 2 eggs; 1 cup cooked spinach, drained and chopped; ¼ cup mozzarella cheese; ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp kosher salt; 1 box jumbo shells; 2 cups mozzarella cheese (for topping); Fresh parsley, for serving

Description

These baked jumbo shells are stuffed with creamy ricotta and spinach, layered with savory beef and sausage marinara, then topped with bubbling mozzarella—pure comfort food.

Ingredients

For the Meat Sauce:

1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 green bell pepper, diced

¾ – 1 lb ground Italian sausage

¾ – 1 lb ground beef

24 oz marinara sauce

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp kosher salt

½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

For the Filling:

32 oz ricotta cheese

2 eggs

1 cup cooked spinach, drained and chopped

¼ cup mozzarella cheese

¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp kosher salt

For the Pasta:

1 box jumbo shells

2 cups mozzarella cheese (for topping)

Fresh parsley, for serving

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Cook Pasta: Cook jumbo shells according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Prepare Meat Sauce:

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Sauté diced red and green bell peppers until soft.

Add ground sausage and beef; cook until browned.

Stir in marinara, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Let simmer briefly.

Make Filling:

In a large bowl, mix ricotta, spinach, eggs, mozzarella, Parmesan, garlic powder, and salt.

Stuff Shells:

Fill each cooked shell with the ricotta mixture.

Assemble Dish:

Spread a few spoonfuls of meat sauce in the bottom of a 13-inch baking dish.

Arrange stuffed shells in a single layer. Pour remaining meat sauce over shells.

Bake:

Cover and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.

Uncover, top with 2 cups mozzarella, raise oven to 375°F, and bake another 15 minutes.

Optional: Broil for a few minutes for a golden-brown top.

Serve:

Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.

Notes

Use store-bought or homemade marinara sauce for convenience or added flavor.

Swap spinach for kale or omit entirely for a simpler version.

Add extra Parmesan on top for more cheesy goodness.

Perfect for make-ahead meals—just assemble and refrigerate before baking.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian