Description

Craving a comforting, family-friendly meal that delivers classic Italian flavors with minimal effort? The Easy Stuffed Shells, with 34 glowing reviews, are your answer! This hearty dish features jumbo pasta shells stuffed with savory Italian meatballs, smothered in spaghetti sauce, and topped with melty mozzarella cheese

Ingredients

To make Easy Stuffed Shells for 12 servings, you’ll need these key ingredients. Each one adds a layer of flavor or texture to this comforting dish:

Jumbo Pasta Shells (36, uncooked): Large, sturdy base for stuffing.
Spaghetti Sauce (1 jar, 24 oz): Provides rich, tomatoey flavor.
Frozen Fully Cooked Italian Meatballs (36, ½ oz each, thawed): Savory, convenient filling.
Shredded Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese (2 cups): Adds melty, cheesy goodness.

Substitutions and Variations:

Pasta Shells: Swap with manicotti or lasagna noodles (rolled around meatballs).
Spaghetti Sauce: Use marinara, arrabbiata, or homemade sauce for a different flavor profile.
Meatballs: Replace with homemade meatballs, sausage, or plant-based meatballs for a vegetarian option.
Mozzarella: Substitute with provolone, Italian cheese blend, or a dairy-free cheese alternative.
Add-Ons: Include spinach, ricotta cheese, or sautéed mushrooms in the shells for extra flavor.
Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta shells and ensure sauce and meatballs are gluten-free (check labels).
Spicy Kick: Use a spicy spaghetti sauce or add red pepper flakes to the filling.

Why These Ingredients Matter: The jumbo shells provide a sturdy base, the meatballs add protein-packed flavor, and the sauce and mozzarella create a classic Italian combination. This dish is a balanced, hearty meal perfect for pasta lovers.

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Cook the Pasta

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Cook 36 jumbo pasta shells according to package directions (typically 8–10 minutes in boiling water) until al dente.
Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool for handling.

Tip: Cook shells al dente to prevent tearing when stuffing, and rinse to make them easier to handle.

Step 2: Prepare the Baking Dish

Grease a 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Spread ½ cup spaghetti sauce evenly over the bottom of the dish.

Tip: Use a spoon or spatula to spread the sauce thinly to create a base that prevents sticking.

Step 3: Stuff the Shells

Fill each cooked pasta shell with 1 thawed Italian meatball (½ oz each).
Arrange the stuffed shells in the baking dish over the sauce, open side up.

Tip: Use a spoon or your fingers to gently place meatballs in the shells, ensuring they fit snugly.

Step 4: Add Sauce and Cheese

Pour the remaining spaghetti sauce (from the 24 oz jar) evenly over the stuffed shells.
Sprinkle 2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.

Tip: Spread sauce to cover all shells for even flavor, and distribute cheese evenly for a melty topping.

Step 5: Bake

Cover the baking dish with foil and bake at 350°F for 35 minutes.
Uncover and bake for an additional 3–5 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Tip: Use foil to prevent drying out, and check that the casserole is heated through (165°F internal temperature) and the cheese is fully melted.

Step 6: Serve

Let the stuffed shells cool for 3–5 minutes to set.
Serve hot, scooping 3 shells per portion for a main dish.

Tip: Serve immediately to enjoy the melty cheese and saucy shells at their best.