Lasagna-Stuffed Shells
Jumbo pasta shells are stuffed with a lasagna-inspired blend of ricotta, mozzarella, spinach, and ground beef in this family-friendly recipe.
- Preparation:
- Cooking:
- Total:
- Serves: 9 persons
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds ground beef
- salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 2tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 2tablespoons chopped onion
- 2tablespoons tomato paste
- ½teaspoon dried oregano
- 2(14 ounce) cans tomato sauce, divided
- 18piece (blank)s jumbo pasta shells
- 3cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1(16 ounce) container whole-milk ricotta cheese
- 1(16 ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1(8 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
- ¼cup fresh basil
- 1medium lemon, zested and juiced
- ½cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Step 1
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat; add 1/2 of the ground beef with a big pinch of salt and pepper and cook until the beef is seared and crumbly, about 5 minutes. Remove beef from the pan and cook the remainder. Set all meat aside.Step 2
Lower the heat to medium-low and add 1 tablespoon olive oil and the onion. Saute until aromatic, about 2 minutes. Add tomato paste and oregano, followed by the ground beef and one jar of sauce. Stir to combine and reduce to a simmer. Add salt and pepper to taste.Step 3
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).Step 4
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add shells and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 9 minutes. Strain; feel free to reserve some pasta water to add to the sauce if you like.Step 5
Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in another pan over medium heat and add the garlic. Saute until lightly golden. Transfer garlic to a mixing bowl with ricotta, mozzarella, spinach, basil, and lemon zest and juice. Add salt to taste.Step 6
Pour remaining tomato sauce into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spoon the cheese mixture into the shells followed by the meat mixture. As you finish stuffing each shell, place it in the sauce. Top with Parmesan cheese.Step 7
Bake in the preheated oven until the shells are hot in the center and the mozzarella cheese is melted and bubbly, 25 to 30 minutes.