Three-Cheese Beef Pasta Shells

Prep 25 min
Total 1 hr 20 min
Servings 8

These Three-Cheese Beef Pasta Shells can be ready to impress in no time at all. Perfect for company and cozy nights at home, this hearty dish only looks like you spent all day in the kitchen. In fact, you can pull stuffed pasta shells with ground beef together with just 25 minutes of prep time, then get the rest of the meal ready while it bakes. These stuffed shells with cream cheese, ground beef, melty cheese and pasta sauce bring a whole new meaning to the term "comfort food." No matter the occasion, nothing satisfies quite like a warm dish of Three-Cheese Beef Pasta Shells.

By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Updated December 28, 2020

Ingredients

24

uncooked jumbo pasta shells
1

lb ground beef (at least 80% lean)
1

jar (25.5 oz) Muir Glen™ organic chunky tomato & herb pasta sauce
1/4

cup water
1

container (8 oz) chive and onion cream cheese spread
1 1/2

cups shredded Italian cheese blend (6 oz)
1/2

cup grated Parmesan cheese
1

egg
1

to 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, if desired

Steps

1

Heat oven to 350°F. Cook and drain pasta shells as directed on package.
2

In 10-inch skillet, cook beef over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly cooked; drain. Cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
3

In large bowl, mix pasta sauce and water. Pour 1 cup of the pasta sauce mixture in bottom of ungreased 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish. In medium bowl, mix cheese spread, 1 cup of the Italian cheese, the Parmesan cheese, egg and cooked beef. Spoon heaping tablespoon mixture into each shell. Arrange stuffed shells over sauce in baking dish. Pour remaining sauce over top, covering shells completely. Cover with foil.
4

Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until bubbly and cheese filling is set. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup Italian cheese. Bake uncovered about 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with parsley.

Turn this Three-Cheese Beef Pasta Shells meal into a mini cooking lesson; engage the kids to help fill the cooled pasta shells.
Be sure to cook the pasta shells just till they’re al dente (still slightly firm), then don’t overfill them. If they do tear a little, that’s fine; just tuck them in close together, so they support each other as they bake. A 6-cheese Italian blend is typically made up of a mild mozzarella and provolone and saltier and more pungent Parmesan, fontina, Romano and Asiago. The combo in these stuffed shells with meat contrasts and balances a rich, creamy flavor.
The jumbo pasta shells come in a box with more than the 24 shells required for this recipe. We recommend cooking a few more than you need, as some may stick to the bottom of the pot and tear apart during cooking.
If you can’t find chive and onion cream cheese spread, just stir 1 tablespoon of each, finely chopped, into plain cream cheese spread.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 3 Shells

Calories: 430
Calories from Fat: 220

% Daily Value

Total Fat: 25g; 38%
Saturated Fat 12g 58% Trans Fat 1/2g
Cholesterol: 115mg; 38%
Sodium: 660mg; 27%
Potassium: 410mg; 12%
Total Carbohydrate: 28g; 9%
Dietary Fiber 2g 10% Sugars 5g
Protein: 23g

% Daily Value*:

Vitamin A: 10%; 10%
Vitamin C: 0%; 0%
Calcium: 25%; 25%
Iron: 15%; 15%

Exchanges:

1 1/2 Starch; 0 Fruit; 1/2 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 1/2 High-Fat Meat; 2 Fat;

Carbohydrate Choice

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

If you don’t yet have a go-to stuffed pasta shells recipe, make some space in your recipe box! From the cook to the pickiest eater, this casserole makes everyone happy, thanks to the simple ingredient list and full flavor. We love making this for company because it serves eight and can be assembled ahead, so serving a hot dinner doesn’t have to mean ignoring your guests. Fill these stuffed pasta shells with ground beef, tomato sauce and other basic ingredients to make this an affordable dish that tastes deluxe. So next time you’re craving something cheesy and easy, you’ll know what to make. If you love stuffed pasta shells, we’re not out of ideas. Betty Crocker’s got plenty more pasta recipes to share.