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Stuffed-Shells-with-Ground-Beef-and-Cottage-Cheese-Recipe

Stuffed Shells with Ground Beef and Cottage Cheese

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  • Author: Danae
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 65 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Description

This Stuffed Shells with Ground Beef and Cottage Cheese recipe offers a mouthwatering blend of flavors. It’s perfect for a quick dinner or comforting meal, showcasing a delicious filling with rich cheeses and seasoned beef, all enveloped in pasta and smothered with marinara sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 20-24 jumbo pasta shells, cooked according to package directions
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella, divided
  • 1 ½ cups cottage cheese
  • ⅓ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 jar marinara sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, plus more for garnish
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cook the pasta shells in salted water until al dente. Drain, rinse with cool water, and arrange on a parchment-lined sheet to avoid sticking.
  2. In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with salt and pepper. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30–60 seconds. Drain excess grease and allow the mixture to cool slightly.
  3. In a mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella, mayonnaise, and Italian seasoning.
  4. Incorporate the cooled beef into the cheese mixture, stirring until well combined.
  5. Spread 1/2 cup of marinara sauce evenly in the bottom of a baking dish.
  6. Stuff each shell with 1–2 tablespoons of the filling and arrange them in the baking dish.
  7. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells, followed by the rest of the mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning.
  8. Cover the dish with foil (sprayed on one side) and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5–10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
  9. Let the dish rest for 5–10 minutes before garnishing with parsley and serving with extra Parmesan.

Notes

Feel free to customize the filling with your favorite herbs and spices.
Parmesan cheese can be added directly into the filling for extra flavor.
Make sure to properly cool the beef mixture to avoid melting the cheese during mixing.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 stuffed shell
  • Calories: 385
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 570mg
  • Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Cholesterol: 55mg

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Find it online: https://chopandeat.com/stuffed-shells-with-ground-beef-and-cottage-cheese/