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Taco Stuffed Shells Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 54 reviews

These Taco Stuffed Shells are a fun and flavorful twist on traditional stuffed pasta. Jumbo pasta shells are filled with a zesty taco meat mixture, creamy cheese, and baked to perfection, then topped with fresh veggies and sour cream for a delicious Mexican-inspired dish that’s perfect for family dinners or gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 24 jumbo pasta shells

Filling

  • ½ tbsp olive oil
  • ½ onion, chopped
  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 1 packet taco seasoning (or 3 tbsp)
  • 1 cup salsa
  • 4 oz. cream cheese

Topping

  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • Sour cream, for drizzling
  • 2 roma tomatoes, chopped
  • ¼ cup chopped green onion
  • 2 tbsp chopped cilantro

Instructions

  1. Preheat and cook pasta: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the shells and lay them out on a layer of paper towel to dry and cool slightly.
  2. Cook onion: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion along with a sprinkle of salt and cook for a few minutes until softened and translucent.
  3. Brown beef: Add the ground beef and taco seasoning to the skillet with the onions. Cook until the beef is fully browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess grease from the skillet.
  4. Create filling mixture: Stir in the salsa and cream cheese into the beef mixture. Continue stirring until the cream cheese has melted and everything is well combined, forming a creamy taco meat filling.
  5. Stuff shells: Spoon the taco meat filling into each cooked pasta shell. Place the stuffed shells evenly into a greased casserole dish. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the shells.
  6. Bake: Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 5 minutes until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
  7. Garnish and serve: Remove the shells from the oven. Top with a drizzle of sour cream, chopped roma tomatoes, chopped green onion, and chopped cilantro. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

  • You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
  • If you prefer spicier flavors, add extra taco seasoning or a dash of hot sauce to the filling.
  • The filled shells can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking.
  • Make sure to cook the pasta shells just until al dente so they don’t become mushy after baking.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace beef with cooked lentils or a plant-based meat substitute.

Keywords: taco stuffed shells, stuffed pasta shells, Mexican stuffed shells, taco pasta bake, easy dinner recipe

Find it online: https://flavorsbymaya.com/taco-stuffed-shells-recipe/