Deconstructed Stuffed Shells Casserole

Name: Deconstructed Stuffed Shells Casserole
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 0.5 tsp Black Pepper; 1 tsp Cooking Spray; 8 oz Cream Cheese; 1 whole Eggs; 1 tbsp Extra-Virgin Olive Oil; 0.25 cup Fresh Basil; 2 oz Grated Parmesan Cheese; 1 lb Ground Sirloin; 1 tsp Italian Seasoning; 24 oz Marinara Sauce; 1.5 tbsp Minced Garlic; 4 oz Part-Skim Shredded Mozzarella Cheese; 1 cup Ricotta Cheese; 1.25 tsp Salt; 12 oz Shell Pasta; 1 whole Yellow Onion

Dinner 🍽️Lunch 🥪 Italian 🇮🇹 High-Protein 💪Sugar-Free Comfort-Food

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

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