Baked Shells with Pesto Mozzarella and Meat Sauce

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with Baked Shells with Pesto Mozzarella and Meat Sauce, a hearty dish that combines tender jumbo pasta shells, savory meat sauce, and a creamy ricotta-pesto filling. Perfectly stuffed and baked until bubbly, this recipe boasts layers of flavor, from the rich marinara and seasoned ground beef to the melty mozzarella and fresh basil garnish. The addition of basil pesto elevates the cheesy filling, giving each bite a vibrant, herby twist. With minimal prep and a bake time of just 40 minutes, this family-friendly dinner is as easy to make as it is delicious. Serve it fresh out of the oven for a crowd-pleasing meal that will have everyone coming back for seconds! Keywords: baked shells, pesto mozzarella, meat sauce recipe, cheesy stuffed shells, family dinner idea.

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 pieces Jumbo pasta shells
• 1 pound Ground beef
• 2 cups Marinara sauce
• 2 cups Mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup Basil pesto
• 1 cup Ricotta cheese
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 large Egg
• 2 cloves Garlic
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 0.25 cup Fresh basil (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.

Step 2

Cook the jumbo pasta shells until al dente according to package instructions. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside.

Step 3

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add ground beef to the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking up the meat into small pieces. Drain excess fat if needed.

Step 5

Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let the meat sauce simmer on low heat for 5 minutes, then set aside.

Step 6

In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, basil pesto, and the egg. Mix until well combined.

Step 7

Spread 1 cup of the meat sauce evenly onto the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

Step 8

Stuff each cooked pasta shell with about 1-2 tablespoons of the ricotta-pesto mixture and place them open side up in the baking dish.

Step 9

Once all shells are stuffed, pour the remaining meat sauce over the shells, ensuring they are mostly covered.

Step 10

Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top.

Step 11

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Step 12

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 13

Let the baked shells rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1640.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3610.1

Total Fat 285.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 96.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.0g
Cholesterol 831.4mg	0%
Sodium 4505.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 69.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.3g	0%
Total Sugars 26.3g
Protein 190.5g	0%

Vitamin D 89.9IU	0%
Calcium 3172.5mg	0%
Iron 20.7mg	0%
Potassium 2906.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 71.2%

Protein: 21.1%

Carbs: 7.7%