Description
Taco Stuffed Shells combine cheesy baked pasta with bold taco flavors. Jumbo shells are filled with seasoned beef, smothered in salsa, and topped with melted cheese for a delicious, family-friendly meal. Perfect for weeknights or gatherings!
Ingredients
Scale
- Pasta: 12-15 jumbo pasta shells
- Meat Filling:
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ cup onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet (or 2 tbsp) taco seasoning
- ½ cup salsa
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- Toppings:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup green onions, sliced
- ¼ cup black olives, sliced (optional)
- 1 jalapeño, sliced (optional)
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook Pasta: Boil jumbo shells in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Filling: In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened.
- Season & Simmer: Stir in taco seasoning, salsa, and tomato sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes, then mix in cream cheese until smooth. Remove from heat.
- Stuff Shells: Fill each cooked shell with the beef mixture and place in a greased baking dish.
- Add Sauce & Cheese: Pour additional salsa or tomato sauce over shells. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly.
- Garnish & Serve: Let rest for a few minutes. Top with sour cream, green onions, black olives, jalapeños, and cilantro. Serve hot.
Notes
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Freeze unbaked shells in a covered dish for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before baking.
- Reheating: Warm in a 350°F oven for 15 minutes or microwave individual portions until heated through.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-Italian
Keywords: Taco Stuffed Shells, Mexican-Italian fusion, cheesy pasta bake, family-friendly meal, stuffed pasta shells