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MealDinnerPastaMeat LoafPorkBeefUnder 1 HourSpecial OccasionStuffedOne-Pot or PanWeeknightPartyBakingUnder 30 MinutesEasyDairy-FreeComfort FoodItalianNorth American

Meatball Stuffed Shell Pasta

featured in 7 Nights of Pasta

These jumbo pasta shells are stuffed with flavorful meatballs and topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Baked in a rich tomato sauce and loaded with herbs, it's a comforting and delicious dinner that the whole family will love.

Rie McClenny
Tasty Team
May 14, 2023
96% would make again

Under 30 minutes

Meatball Stuffed Shell Pasta

Inspired by plainchicken.com

Under 30 minutes

Ingredients

for 4 servings

Meatballs

  • 1 lb ground beef (455 g)
  • 1 lb ground pork (455 g)
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (50 g)
  • ½ cup dried minced onion (75 g), fine
  • ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese (25 g)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley (10 g), finely chopped
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • pepper, to taste

Ricotta-Herb Mixture

  • 15 oz ricotta cheese (425 g)
  • ½ cup fresh basil (20 g), chopped
  • ½ cup fresh parsley (20 g), chopped
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese (110 g)
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 12 oz jumbo pasta shell (340 g), cooked according to package instructions
  • 32 oz marinara sauce (905 g)
  • parmesan cheese, for sprinkling
  • fresh basil, chopped, for garnish

Preparation

  1. In a medium bowl, mix together the beef, pork, bread crumbs, onion, Parmesan cheese, garlic, parsley, eggs, salt, and pepper until just combined.
  2. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
  3. Take a walnut-sized portion of the meat mixture and roll into a ball. Repeat with remaining meat and transfer to an oiled wire rack set over a baking sheet.
  4. Bake the meatballs for 10 minutes, until golden brown.
  5. Make the ricotta-herb mixture: combine the ricotta cheese, basil, parsley, Parmesan cheese, and salt in a medium bowl and mix well.
  6. Stuff a tablespoon of ricotta mixture into a jumbo shells, then stuff a meatball into the shells.
  7. Spread the marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch (23x33-cm) casserole dish, then lay in the stuffed shells. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top.
  8. Bake for 10 minutes, until the marinara sauce is warm.
  9. Top with chopped basil.
  10. Enjoy!
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Meatball Stuffed Shell Pasta

Inspired by plainchicken.com