Description
Taco Stuffed Shells are a delicious fusion of Mexican and Italian cuisine, combining tender pasta shells with a flavorful taco meat filling, all topped with melted cheese. This dish is perfect for family dinners or entertaining, offering comfort food with a twist. It’s hearty, cheesy, and packs just the right amount of spice.
Ingredients
24 jumbo shells, cooked according to package directions
2 pounds lean ground beef
1 cup finely diced sweet yellow onion
1 tablespoon fresh minced garlic
2 ounces mild taco seasoning
¾ cup water
16 ounces mild salsa (your favorite brand)
2½ cups shredded Colby jack cheese
Taco sauce, optional garnish
Instructions
1️⃣ Cook your pasta shells according to package directions and set them aside.
2️⃣ Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray and set it aside.
3️⃣ In a 3 to 4-quart saucepan, combine the ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic. Cook uncovered over medium-high heat for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring often, until the beef is browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess grease.
4️⃣ Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the taco seasoning, water, and salsa to the meat mixture. Stir well to combine and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
5️⃣ Carefully fill each cooked shell with about 3 tablespoons of the meat mixture and arrange them in the prepared baking dish in rows of 5 across and 4 down. You may have a few extra shells left over.
6️⃣ Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
7️⃣ Remove from the oven, uncover, and sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the shells. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted.
8️⃣ Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before garnishing with taco sauce, if desired, and serve warm.
Notes
This dish can be prepped in advance and stored in the refrigerator overnight. To simplify filling the shells, use a pastry bag or a Ziploc bag with the tip cut off. Breaking up the ground beef into smaller pieces ensures an even filling in each shell. Leftovers store well and can be reheated easily, making this a great make-ahead meal.