Italian Stuffed Pasta Shells

Name: Italian Stuffed Pasta Shells
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 1 pound ground chuck; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 small yellow onion, diced; 1 garlic clove, minced; 1 (26-ounce) jar marinara sauce; 1 large egg, lightly beaten; 2 cups small curd cottage cheese, 4% milkfat; 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided; 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided; 20 jumbo pasta shells, cooked per package directions, to al dente; fresh basil leaves, chopped, for garnish

Italian Dinner Cheesy

Time: 45 minutes

Yield: 8 servings

About

Italian Stuffed Pasta Shells is the perfect meal when you’re craving some Italian fare! Pasta shells are cooked perfectly al dente, filled with a delicious meat sauce, and covered in irresistibly melted cheese. Serve Italian Stuffed Pasta Shells with a side salad or homemade garlic bread for a complete, hearty Italian comfort meal!

Ingredients

1 pound ground chuck
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small yellow onion, diced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 (26-ounce) jar marinara sauce
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 cups small curd cottage cheese, 4% milkfat
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
20 jumbo pasta shells, cooked per package directions, to al dente
fresh basil leaves, chopped, for garnish

Directions

Step 1 -Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Step 2 -Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 3 -After cooking the pasta shells to al dente according to the package instructions, drain and place them separated side-down on a paper towel to dry.

Step 4 -Brown the beef, in a large skillet. Set it over medium heat until cooked through. Get rid of the extra fat.

Step 5 -Lower the heat to medium-low.

Step 6 -Add the olive oil to the skillet, and cook the onions until they are translucent.

Step 7 -Add the garlic and cook until fragrant.

Step 8 -Bring the heat down to low.

Step 9 -Add the sauce and simmer for about 30 minutes. Stir every so often to avoid burning at the bottom.

Step 10 -Combine the egg, cottage cheese, 1/2 cup of Parmesan, and 1 cup of mozzarella in a mixing bowl.

Step 11 -Add 3/4 of the meat sauce to the bottom of the baking dish.

Step 12 -Using a spoon, gently fill the pasta shells with the cheese mixture.

Step 13 -Place them on the dish with the opening of the shell facing up.

Step 14 -Pour the remainder of the meat sauce in between the shells.

Step 15 -Cover the dish with aluminum foil to avoid burning and crisping the pasta shells.