Unstuffed Shells Casserole

This recipe for unstuffed shells casserole is a popular dish because it combines the classic flavors of stuffed pasta shells with the convenience and ease of a casserole. It’s a one-pan meal that’s simple to prepare and bake, making it a great option for busy weeknights or family dinners. The combination of juicy ground beef or Italian sausage, tender pasta shells, and a rich, creamy filling, all topped with melted mozzarella and parmesan cheese, makes for a comforting and satisfying dish that’s sure to please everyone at the table. Additionally, it’s a versatile recipe that can be adapted to suit individual tastes and dietary requirements, making it a crowd-pleaser that can be customized to suit different palates.

Serving and preparation time
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 50 minutes
Servings: 8-10 people

Ingredients:

• -1 lb jumbo pasta shells
• -1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
• -2 cloves of garlic, minced
• -1 onion, chopped
• -1 red bell pepper, chopped
• -28 oz can of crushed tomatoes
• -1 cup of water
• -1 tsp sugar
• -2 tsp dried basil
• -2 tsp dried oregano
• -salt and pepper, to taste
• -2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese
• -1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese
• -1 cup of ricotta cheese
• -1 egg
• -2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Cook pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or Italian sausage over medium heat until browned, about 10 minutes.
3. Drain any excess grease.
4. Add the garlic, onion, and red bell pepper to the skillet and cook for another 5 minutes, until the vegetables are soft.
5. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, water, sugar, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
6. In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese, and parsley. Mix well.
7. Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
8. Stuff each cooked pasta shell with a generous spoonful of the ricotta mixture. Place the stuffed shells on top of the meat sauce in the baking dish.
9. Pour the remaining meat sauce over the stuffed shells.
10. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese over the top.
11. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
12. Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Unstuffed shells casserole is a fun twist on traditional stuffed shells that offers several advantages. Here’s something new about this meal:

1. It’s a great way to use up leftover pasta: If you have cooked pasta shells leftover from another meal, you can easily incorporate them into this casserole to create a delicious and satisfying dish.
2. It’s a great way to stretch your budget: By using ground beef or Italian sausage, this casserole can be an economical option for feeding a family. You can also use a lower-fat meat or a meat substitute if desired.
3. It’s a great way to add more vegetables to your diet: You can easily add extra vegetables to this casserole by adding chopped spinach, zucchini, or eggplant to the meat sauce.
4. It’s a great way to make a vegetarian version: By using a meat substitute or skipping the meat altogether, you can easily make this casserole vegetarian-friendly.
5. It’s a great way to make ahead: You can assemble the casserole a day or two ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake it. This makes it a great option for busy weeknights or for when you have guests over.