Southwest Beef Shells

Loaded with bold Tex-Mex flavors, Southwest Beef Shells are a hearty and satisfying dinner that will transform your weeknight meals. This crowd-pleasing recipe features tender pasta shells stuffed with a rich mixture of seasoned ground beef, black beans, and zesty diced tomatoes with green chilies, all topped with a blanket of melted cheddar cheese. Infused with aromatic spices like chili powder, cumin, and paprika, these cheesy stuffed shells bring a delicious southwest twist to classic comfort food. Perfect for feeding a hungry family, this easy-to-make dish is ready in just 45 minutes and can be garnished with fresh cilantro and a dollop of sour cream for extra flavor. Whether you're craving a new twist on pasta night or need a festive dish for entertaining, these Southwest Beef Shells are sure to delight!

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 pieces large pasta shells
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup canned diced tomatoes with green chilies (e.g., Rotel)
• 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 cup sour cream (for garnish, optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Cook the pasta shells in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and garlic, and sauté for 2-3 minutes until onions are translucent.

Step 4

Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and fully cooked, about 7-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat.

Step 5

Stir in the chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute to toast the spices.

Step 6

Add the black beans and diced tomatoes with green chilies to the skillet. Stir to combine and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.

Step 7

Spoon the beef and bean mixture into each cooked pasta shell, filling them generously.

Step 8

Arrange the stuffed shells in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 9

Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the shells.

Step 10

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 11

Remove from the oven and let the dish cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro and a dollop of sour cream, if desired.

Step 12

Serve warm and enjoy your Southwest Beef Shells!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1424.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2593.7

Total Fat 171.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 83.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 542.7mg	0%
Sodium 3877.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 120.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 22.7g	0%
Total Sugars 15.9g
Protein 148.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1574.6mg	0%
Iron 17.4mg	0%
Potassium 2595.7mg	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: 59.0%

Protein: 22.7%

Carbs: 18.4%