Description
Cheesy Taco Stuffed Shells are a delightful fusion of flavors and textures, featuring tender pasta shells filled with a savory mixture of seasoned ground beef, zesty taco spices, and creamy cheese. Each bite offers a satisfying crunch from the crispy edges, followed by a burst of rich, cheesy goodness that melts in your mouth.
Ingredients
Scale
- Pasta Shells: 20 jumbo pasta shells, cooked al dente
- Filling:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning (1 oz)
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn, frozen or canned
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- Topping:
- 2 cups salsa
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the taco seasoning, black beans, and corn, cooking for an additional 3 minutes until heated through.
- Remove from heat and mix in the cream cheese and cheddar cheese until well combined.
- Stuff each cooked pasta shell with the beef mixture and place them in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Pour salsa evenly over the stuffed shells, then sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.
Notes
- Make-ahead: You can prepare the stuffed shells a day in advance and store them in the refrigerator before baking.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Substitutions: Ground turkey or chicken can be used instead of beef for a lighter option. For a vegetarian version, replace meat with additional beans or lentils.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: main-dish
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed shell
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3 grams
- Sodium: 600 milligrams
- Fat: 20 grams
- Saturated Fat: 10 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 30 grams
- Fiber: 5 grams
- Protein: 18 grams
- Cholesterol: 60 milligrams
Keywords: Cheesy Taco Stuffed Shells, stuffed pasta, taco recipe, Mexican-American cuisine, easy dinner, comfort food, cheesy pasta, family meal, ground beef recipe, baked pasta, quick weeknight meal, creamy cheese, flavorful filling