Healthy Italian Meat-Stuffed Shells

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Additional Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Servings: 6-8

Ingredients:

• 12 jumbo pasta shells
• 1 lb ground Italian sausage
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (15 oz) container ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
• 1 egg
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce

Steps to Cook:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, cook the ground Italian sausage and ground beef over medium heat, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
4. Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
5. In a large bowl, combine the cooked meat mixture, ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, egg, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until fully incorporated.
6. Spread 1 cup of the marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
7. Carefully stuff each cooked pasta shell with the meat and cheese mixture, and arrange them in the prepared baking dish.
8. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells, making sure to cover them completely.
9. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese and additional Parmesan cheese over the top.
10. Bake for 45 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
11. Remove from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Cook’s Note:

• For a creamier filling, you can add an extra 1/4 cup of ricotta cheese to the mixture.
• Adjust the amount of seasonings to your taste preferences.
• If you prefer a spicier filling, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat mixture.
• You can prepare the stuffed shells in advance and refrigerate or freeze them until ready to bake. If baking from frozen, increase the baking time by 10-15 minutes.
• Serve the Italian meat-stuffed shells with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete Italian-inspired meal.

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