Deconstructed Stuffed Shells Casserole
Deconstructed Stuffed Shells Casserole layers tender pasta with rich marinara, seasoned beef, and a luxuriously creamy ricotta–cream cheese blend. Parmesan and mozzarella melt into a golden, bubbly top, while fresh basil brightens each bite. It’s comforting enough for a cozy family dinner yet special enough to share at a casual gathering.
- Prep15 mins
- Cook55 mins
- Serves8
- DifficultyMedium
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Deconstructed Stuffed Shells Casserole, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 50 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 0.63 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityFair
- 55 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Culinary Ingredients
- 2 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 16
- Heart Health
- 65
- Metabolic
- 26
- Digestive
- 20
- Inflammatory
- 39
- Performance
- 32
- General Wellness
- 1
Assemble all the ingredients.
- 2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the shells and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet still slightly firm, about 9 minutes. Drain well and set the pasta aside.
- 3
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees F). Lightly coat a 13- x 9-inch oven-safe baking dish with cooking spray; set aside.
- 4
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high. Add the ground sirloin, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is lightly browned but not fully cooked, about 5 minutes. Add the onion and 1 tablespoon garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens, about 5 minutes.
- 5
Lower the heat to medium; stir in the marinara sauce, and cook, stirring occasionally, just until it begins to simmer, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat.
- 6
While the beef mixture cooks, combine the ricotta, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, basil, egg, remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large mixing bowl until evenly mixed. Gently fold in the cooked pasta until evenly coated.
- 7
Spoon 1/2 of the beef mixture (about 2 cups) into the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer. Top evenly with the pasta mixture.
- 8
Spread the remaining beef mixture over the pasta layer, and sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly on top.
- 9
Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven until it bubbles around the edges and the cheese just starts to melt, about 25 minutes. Uncover and bake until the cheese is fully melted and the pasta is heated through, about 10 minutes more.
- 10
Remove from the oven and serve, garnishing with basil. Recipe developed by Amanda Holstein
- Calories 498.43 kcal High 25%
- Protein 28.99 g Good Source 58%
- Carbohydrate 45.12 g 16%
- Total Fat 22.77 g High 29%
- Saturated Fat 11.16 g High 56%
- Trans Fat 0.06 g High --
- Cholesterol 105.4 mg High 35%
- Sodium 702.12 mg High 31%
- Dietary Fiber 3.25 g Moderate 12%
- Total Sugars 7.3 g --
- Added Sugars 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Calcium 294.71 mg Good Source 23%
- Iron 3.89 mg Good Source 22%
- Potassium 523.08 mg Moderate 11%
- Vitamin A 127.31 mcg Moderate 14%
- Vitamin C 0.31 mg Low Source 0%
- Vitamin D 0.22 mcg Low Source 1%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Eggs 🥚
- Milk 🥛
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
- Tomatoes 🍅
- Garlic 🧄
- Onions 🧅
About This Recipe
Deconstructed Stuffed Shells Casserole is made with 16 ingredients and serves 8. It takes about 1 hr 10 mins and is rated medium. Key ingredients include Black Pepper, Cooking Spray, Cream Cheese, and Eggs. Each serving provides about 498.43 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Deconstructed Stuffed Shells Casserole made of?
- The main ingredients are Black Pepper, Cooking Spray, Cream Cheese, Eggs, Extra-Virgin Olive Oil. The full list of 16 is above.
- How long does it take to make Deconstructed Stuffed Shells Casserole?
- About 1 hr 10 mins in total: 15 mins to prepare and 55 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 498.43 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Deconstructed Stuffed Shells Casserole easy to make?
- This recipe is rated medium, with 16 ingredients and 10 steps.
- Is Deconstructed Stuffed Shells Casserole healthy?
- Deconstructed Stuffed Shells Casserole has an easyChef Pro health score of 36/100. Per serving, it provides 498.43 calories and 28.99 g of protein, or 58% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of calcium and iron. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 702.12 mg (31% of the Daily Value) and saturated fat at 11.16 g (56% of the Daily Value). It contains Eggs, Milk, Wheat, Gluten, Tomatoes, Garlic and Onions, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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