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Taco Stuffed Shells Recipe
Taco Stuffed Shells Recipe
Ingredients:
For the Stuffed Shells:
- 24 jumbo pasta shells
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Sauce:
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Toppings:
- Sour cream
- Chopped green onions
- Chopped fresh cilantro
- Sliced black olives
- Diced tomatoes
Instructions:
- Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan, combine crushed tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Simmer over medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
- In a skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion to the browned beef and cook until softened. Stir in the taco seasoning and cook according to the seasoning packet instructions.
- Mix in salsa and cook for an additional 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In each cooked pasta shell, spoon a generous amount of the taco meat mixture and then top it with the cheese mixture.
- Spread a thin layer of the prepared sauce in the bottom of a baking dish. Arrange the filled pasta shells in the baking dish. Pour the remaining sauce over the stuffed shells.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes or until the shells are heated through.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
- Garnish with sour cream, chopped green onions, cilantro, sliced black olives, and diced tomatoes if desired.
- Serve warm and enjoy this flavorful twist on traditional stuffed shells with a Mexican-inspired flair!