Meat Stuffed Pasta Shells

Love What UEAT
2 days ago
2 min read

#recipe #pastashells #meatpastashells #stuffedpastashells #bakedstuffedpasta

This meat stuffed baked pasta shell recipe is easy, delicious and perfect for a dinner with family and friends.

A first course meal where simple ingredients combine together to create a savoury and flavour healthy dish.

We include this dish among the first courses for Sunday and Holiday lunches, however; it can also be considered as a single dish serving.

When I (Nancy), post this dish on my Instagram account, many and many of you have asked me for my recipe, so without any further ado, I am very happy and excited to share it with you!

INGREDIENTS: Serves: 8-10

Time: 1 1/2 hours

Size baking dish: 9.5”x13.5” (approx 24cm x 34.5cm)

MARINARA SAUCE:

1 - 24oz (680 g) bottle of passata (strained tomatoes)

Drizzle of olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Pinch of chili flakes (OPTIONAL)

PASTA SHELLS:

Box of 24 shells

MEAT FILLING:

Approx. One pound (454 g) lean ground meat (or ground meat(s) of your choice)

3 garlic cloves (thinly sliced)

1/3 large Spanish onion (sliced and diced)

Drizzle of olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS: Marinara Sauce: Stovetop

Pasta Shells: Oven temp: 400F (205 C)

Bake time: 30 minutes

1. Begin by cooking your marinara sauce, over stovetop, medium heat, drizzle some olive oil in a saucepan. Pour your bottle of passata, then fill the bottle with water to collect the remaining sauce. Give the bottle a good shake. Pour into the saucepan. Add the seasonings. Stir periodically.

2. In a large frying pan, over stovetop on medium/high heat, drizzle some olive oil. Sauté the garlic and onions.

3. Add your meat. Break it down into chunks. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir periodically. Cook till meat is browned and fully cooked. Set aside to cool.

4. Bring to boil a big pot of water. Drop in your pasta shells. Cook for approximately 5 minutes. Pasta shells should be lightly soft (enough to open them), but still firm to hold. Scoop them out and place the straight away in cold water to stop the cooking.

NOTE: Keep in mind that the pasta shells will continue to cook when they are baking.

5. Add the cooled meat in a food processor. Add about 3-4 tablespoons of the marinara sauce. Pulsate/blend till you achieve a smooth spreadable texture.

6. Generously layer the bottom of your baking dish with some of the marinara sauce.

7. Spoon in(or pipe) the meat filling into the pasta shells.We like to fill our pasta shells to the rim. Lay them filling side up.

8. Ladle the remaining marinara sauce. Cover with aluminum foil. Place in a preheated 400F (205 C) oven for 30 minutes or until the pasta shells are fork tender.