Meatball-Stuffed Jumbo Shells (Baked)
Meatball-Stuffed Jumbo Shells (Baked)
Ingredients
For the Jumbo Shells
- 1 box jumbo pasta shells, (about 20–24 shells)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, for tossing
For the Meatball Filling
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 2 pounds Italian sausage
- 1/4 cup parsley, minced
- 1 cup spinach, finely chopped (about 3 ounces fresh)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 4 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup onion, finely diced
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, cubed (optional)
For Assembling and Baking
- 4 cups spicy marinara sauce, (Carbone Fine Food brand recommended)
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the jumbo pasta shells and cook for approximately 8 minutes, or until al dente. Drain the cooked shells thoroughly, then toss them lightly with 1 tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, Italian sausage, minced parsley, finely chopped spinach, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, salt, black pepper, minced garlic, and finely diced onion. Mix all ingredients by hand until thoroughly combined.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Spread 1 1/2 cups of the spicy marinara sauce evenly over the bottom of a large skillet or baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375
- 4
Scoop about 3 to 4 tablespoons (approximately 1/4 cup) of the meat mixture into each jumbo shell. Leave the shells open and flat, resembling a half-circle, with the meat filling spread across the top. If desired, place a cube of mozzarella cheese into the center of the meat filling in each shell.
⏱️ 10 min
- 5
Arrange the filled shells face-up in a circular pattern within the prepared skillet or baking dish. Pour the remaining 2 1/2 cups of marinara sauce over the top of the arranged shells.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Generously sprinkle the 4 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese over the entire dish.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Cover the skillet or baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes.
⏱️ 45 min•🌡️ 375
- 8
Carefully remove the foil from the dish. Change the oven setting to broil. Broil for an additional 2 to 5 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese is thoroughly melted, bubbly, and has developed a slightly crispy, golden-brown top.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Meatball-Stuffed Jumbo Shells (Baked)
For the Jumbo Shells
- 1 box jumbo pasta shells, (about 20–24 shells)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, for tossing
For the Meatball Filling
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 2 pounds Italian sausage
- 1/4 cup parsley, minced
- 1 cup spinach, finely chopped (about 3 ounces fresh)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 4 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup onion, finely diced
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, cubed (optional)
For Assembling and Baking
- 4 cups spicy marinara sauce, (Carbone Fine Food brand recommended)
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the jumbo pasta shells and cook for approximately 8 minutes, or until al dente. Drain the cooked shells thoroughly, then toss them lightly with 1 tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, Italian sausage, minced parsley, finely chopped spinach, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, salt, black pepper, minced garlic, and finely diced onion. Mix all ingredients by hand until thoroughly combined.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Spread 1 1/2 cups of the spicy marinara sauce evenly over the bottom of a large skillet or baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375 - 4
Scoop about 3 to 4 tablespoons (approximately 1/4 cup) of the meat mixture into each jumbo shell. Leave the shells open and flat, resembling a half-circle, with the meat filling spread across the top. If desired, place a cube of mozzarella cheese into the center of the meat filling in each shell.
⏱️ 10 min - 5
Arrange the filled shells face-up in a circular pattern within the prepared skillet or baking dish. Pour the remaining 2 1/2 cups of marinara sauce over the top of the arranged shells.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Generously sprinkle the 4 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese over the entire dish.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Cover the skillet or baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes.
⏱️ 45 min•🌡️ 375 - 8
Carefully remove the foil from the dish. Change the oven setting to broil. Broil for an additional 2 to 5 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese is thoroughly melted, bubbly, and has developed a slightly crispy, golden-brown top.
⏱️ 5 min