Stuffed Shells
Stuffed Shells
Ingredients
For the Sauce
- 12 ounces fire roasted crushed tomatoes
- 1 shallot, minced
- 1/3 cup chicken broth
- 6 fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 dash cinnamon
For the Filling and Assembly
- 1 pound large shells, uncooked
- 1 3/4 pounds ground beef
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella pearls
- 1 teaspoon salt, for ground beef
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, for ground beef
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, for ground beef
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 375
- 2
In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced shallot and sauté until translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Add the fire roasted crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, fresh basil leaves, salt, pepper, and a dash of cinnamon to the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat and let it cook for 10-12 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 15 min
- 4
Carefully blend the sauce until smooth using an immersion blender or by transferring it to a regular blender (be cautious with hot liquids). Set aside.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef with 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, and 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning. Mix well to ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Take each uncooked large shell and carefully stuff it with a portion of the seasoned ground beef. Then, place one mozzarella pearl inside each stuffed shell.
⏱️ 10 min
- 7
Arrange the stuffed shells in a single layer in a large baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min
- 8
Pour the prepared tomato sauce evenly over the stuffed shells, ensuring they are well covered. Distribute any remaining mozzarella pearls on top of the sauce.
⏱️ 2 min
- 9
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
⏱️ 20 min•🌡️ 375
- 10
Remove the foil from the baking dish. Sprinkle the 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese over the shells. Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 375
- 11
Remove from the oven and let rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with additional grated Parmesan cheese or fresh chopped parsley, if desired. Enjoy!
⏱️ 3 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Stuffed Shells
For the Sauce
- 12 ounces fire roasted crushed tomatoes
- 1 shallot, minced
- 1/3 cup chicken broth
- 6 fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 dash cinnamon
For the Filling and Assembly
- 1 pound large shells, uncooked
- 1 3/4 pounds ground beef
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella pearls
- 1 teaspoon salt, for ground beef
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, for ground beef
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, for ground beef
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 375 - 2
In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced shallot and sauté until translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Add the fire roasted crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, fresh basil leaves, salt, pepper, and a dash of cinnamon to the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat and let it cook for 10-12 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 15 min - 4
Carefully blend the sauce until smooth using an immersion blender or by transferring it to a regular blender (be cautious with hot liquids). Set aside.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef with 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, and 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning. Mix well to ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Take each uncooked large shell and carefully stuff it with a portion of the seasoned ground beef. Then, place one mozzarella pearl inside each stuffed shell.
⏱️ 10 min - 7
Arrange the stuffed shells in a single layer in a large baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min - 8
Pour the prepared tomato sauce evenly over the stuffed shells, ensuring they are well covered. Distribute any remaining mozzarella pearls on top of the sauce.
⏱️ 2 min - 9
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
⏱️ 20 min•🌡️ 375 - 10
Remove the foil from the baking dish. Sprinkle the 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese over the shells. Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 375 - 11
Remove from the oven and let rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with additional grated Parmesan cheese or fresh chopped parsley, if desired. Enjoy!
⏱️ 3 min