Best 3 Italian Beef And Shells Recipes

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Indulge in a delightful culinary journey with our comprehensive guide to Italian Beef and Shells, a delectable dish that tantalizes taste buds with its rich flavors and comforting textures. This hearty and satisfying meal combines tender beef, savory shells, and a luscious homemade sauce, making it a perfect choice for family gatherings, cozy dinners, or special occasions. Our collection of recipes offers a diverse range of options, catering to various dietary preferences and culinary skills. From classic takes on Italian Beef and Shells to innovative variations featuring unique ingredients and cooking techniques, we have something for every palate. Embark on this culinary adventure and discover the secrets to crafting this Italian masterpiece in your own kitchen.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

ITALIAN UNSTUFFED SHELLS



Italian Unstuffed Shells image

Enjoy all the flavors of the classic baked pasta dish while eliminating the time-consuming step of stuffing large individual shells. Smaller pasta is mixed with tender spinach, savory sausage and a three-cheese filling to create a comforting casserole the whole family will love.

Provided by Jeff Mauro, host of Sandwich King

Categories     main-dish

Time 50m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
One 12-ounce box medium pasta shells
One 28-ounce can peeled San Marzano tomatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound bulk Italian sausage (spicy or sweet)
One 20-ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 cup full-fat ricotta cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan
1 cup shredded mozzarella
1 large egg
1 clove garlic, minced
Dash nutmeg
8 ounces sliced fresh mozzarella
4 to 5 fresh basil leaves, torn

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
  • Add the tomatoes to a large bowl and use your hands to crush them into chunky pieces; set aside.
  • In a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, add the oil. Add the sausage and brown in large chunks until no pink remains, 5 to 8 minutes. Set aside on a paper towel-lined plate. Wipe out the fat from the skillet, leaving about 1 tablespoon behind. Add about a third of the tomatoes to the skillet and stir to pick up any remaining browned bits. Set aside.
  • In another large bowl, add the spinach, ricotta, Parmesan, shredded mozzarella, egg, garlic, nutmeg and 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Mix to combine. Add the cooked pasta and sausage and gently mix.
  • Add the pasta and sausage mixture to the skillet. Top with the remaining tomatoes and then the sliced mozzarella. Bake, uncovered, until heated through and the cheese is bubbling, 20 to 25 minutes. Garnish with torn basil before serving.

CREAMY BEEF AND SHELLS



Creamy Beef and Shells image

A quick/easy ground beef recipe, this is a pasta dish that will be on your dinner table all week long! So creamy and so comforting!

Provided by Chungah Rhee

Categories     entree

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

8 ounces medium pasta shells
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground beef
1/2 medium sweet onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups beef stock
1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
3/4 cup heavy cream
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
6 ounces shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese, about 1 1/2 cups

Steps:

  • In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions; drain well. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes, making sure to crumble the beef as it cooks; drain excess fat. Set aside. Add onion to the skillet, and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in garlic and Italian seasoning until fragrant, about 1 minute. Whisk in flour until lightly browned, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in beef stock and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until reduced and slightly thickened, about 6-8 minutes. Stir in pasta, beef and heavy cream until heated through, about 1-2 minutes; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in cheese until melted, about 2 minutes. Serve immediately.

STOVETOP BEEF AND SHELLS



Stovetop Beef and Shells image

I fix this supper when I'm pressed for time. It's as tasty as it is fast. Team it with salad, bread and fruit for a comforting meal. -Donna Roberts, Manhattan, Kansas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

1-1/2 cups uncooked medium pasta shells (about 4 ounces)
1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 can (15 ounces) crushed tomatoes
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions; drain., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook and crumble beef with onion and garlic over medium-high heat until no longer pink, 5-7 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until flavors are blended, 10-15 minutes., Stir in pasta; heat through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 344 calories, Fat 11g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 71mg cholesterol, Sodium 815mg sodium, Carbohydrate 35g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 29g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

Tips:

  • To save time, use pre-cooked Italian sausage or ground beef. If using ground beef, brown it in a skillet over medium heat, then drain off the excess fat.
  • Use a large pot to cook the pasta shells so that they have plenty of room to cook evenly. If you don't have a large pot, cook the pasta in batches.
  • Don't overcook the pasta shells. They should be cooked al dente, which means slightly firm to the bite.
  • Use a good quality marinara sauce. You can either make your own or use a store-bought sauce. If you're making your own, use fresh tomatoes and herbs for the best flavor.
  • Add plenty of cheese to the filling. This will help to make the filling rich and creamy.
  • Bake the stuffed shells in a preheated oven until they are bubbly and hot.

Conclusion:

Italian beef and shells is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. The combination of pasta, sausage, cheese, and marinara sauce is sure to please everyone at the table. Serve with a side salad and crusty bread for a complete meal.

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