Pizza Stuffed Shells

There’s something undeniably comforting about the aroma of Pizza Stuffed Shells wafting through the kitchen. I can still remember the first time I made them for my family. It was a chilly evening, and I decided to bring a bit of warmth and joy into our home. As the shells bubbled away in the oven, I could hardly contain my excitement. Everyone gathered around the table, eager to dig into these cheesy, delicious pockets of goodness. The combination of flavors—savory meats, tangy marinara, and gooey cheese—created a symphony of taste that left no one disappointed. This dish has become a staple in our household, perfect for family dinners, casual gatherings, or simply when I crave something satisfying. The best part? It’s so easy to make, and everyone loves it.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Pizza Stuffed Shells

When it comes to Pizza Stuffed Shells, the magic truly lies in the ingredients. A simple blend of flavors and textures comes together to create a comforting dish that everyone loves. Here’s a breakdown of the key players in this delicious recipe:

• 12-ounce box Jumbo pasta shells: These sturdy shells are perfect for holding all the delicious fillings, providing a delightful base for the dish.
• 1/2 pound ground beef: This adds a hearty protein component, bringing rich flavor and texture to the filling.
• 1/2 pound pork sausage: A touch of spice and flavor that complements the ground beef beautifully.
• 1/2 bell pepper (any color, chopped): For a hint of sweetness and crunch, bell peppers are a wonderful addition.
• 1 small onion, chopped: Onions add depth of flavor and aroma to the filling, making it irresistible.
• 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese: This cheese adds a salty, nutty flavor that enhances the overall taste of the dish.
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano: A classic seasoning that provides a warm, aromatic note, reminiscent of pizza.
• 2 cloves garlic, minced: Garlic adds a robust flavor that elevates the whole dish.
• 1 small can sliced olives: Olives provide a briny contrast that rounds out the flavors perfectly.
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance every ingredient.
• 24-ounce jar marinara pasta sauce: This sauce ties everything together, adding moisture and flavor.
• 4 ounces pepperoni, chopped: A quintessential pizza ingredient, pepperoni introduces that classic flavor we all love.
• 1 heaping cup shredded mozzarella cheese: The gooey, melty cheese that makes this dish a true comfort food staple.

Recipe Directions for Pizza Stuffed Shells

Cooking Pizza Stuffed Shells is a straightforward process that rewards you with a satisfying meal. Let’s dive into the steps:

1. Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully add the jumbo shells and cook according to the package instructions until al-dente. Just make sure they have a slight bite because they will continue cooking in the oven later. Once cooked, drain the shells and lay them out on a large dish to cool, ensuring they don’t stick together.
2. While the shells are cooling, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and pork sausage, breaking them up with a spatula as they cook. Brown the meat until it is no longer pink, and then drain any excess grease. This step is crucial; if there’s too much fat, it will make the filling soggy.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked meat with the chopped bell pepper, onion, parmesan cheese, oregano, garlic, olives, and half of the marinara sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix thoroughly until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
4. Next, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. This ensures that by the time you’re ready to bake, the oven is at the perfect temperature to bring everything together.
5. Spread a thin layer of the remaining marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch or similar size pan. This layer prevents the shells from sticking and adds flavor.
6. Now comes the fun part! Take each jumbo shell and stuff it generously with the meat mixture, packing them full. Line them up snugly in the prepared pan, seam side up.
7. Once all the shells are filled, pour the remaining marinara sauce evenly over the top. Make sure each shell gets some sauce so they don’t dry out in the oven.
8. Top the dish off with the chopped pepperoni and a generous layer of shredded mozzarella cheese. This will create a beautiful, cheesy topping that melts wonderfully.
9. Cover the pan with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. After that, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, turning a lovely golden color.
10. Once done, take the pan out of the oven and let it sit for a few minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to settle and makes it easier to serve.

Make It Your Own

Embracing creativity while cooking can elevate any dish. Here are some tips for customizing your Pizza Stuffed Shells:

• Storage: Leftover shells can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Just reheat in the microwave or oven.
• Freezing: You can freeze uncooked stuffed shells. Just assemble them, cover tightly with foil, and place them in the freezer. Bake from frozen, adding an extra 10 to 15 minutes to the baking time.
• Pairing: Serve your shells with a simple green salad or garlic bread to complete the meal.
• Spice it up: Add red pepper flakes to the meat mixture if you prefer a bit of heat.
• Cheese variations: Try different types of cheese like ricotta or cheddar for a unique twist.
• Vegetable loading: Feel free to add other vegetables like spinach or zucchini to the filling for added nutrition.
• Healthier option: Substitute ground turkey for beef or sausage for a lighter variation.

Perfect Matches for Pizza Stuffed Shells

• Garlic bread: A classic pairing that complements the cheesy goodness of the stuffed shells.
• Caesar salad: The crispness of a Caesar salad balances the richness of the dish.
• Wine pairing: A glass of light white wine enhances the flavors without overpowering them.
• Perfect for parties: These stuffed shells are great for serving at gatherings or potlucks, sure to impress your guests.
• Comfort food: Ideal for a cozy family dinner; your loved ones will feel right at home.
• Seasonal flavor: These shells work well in any season but are particularly comforting during the colder months.

FAQ

Conclusion

In summary, Pizza Stuffed Shells are a delightful combination of flavors and textures that make for a comforting meal. Their versatility allows you to customize the filling to your liking, ensuring everyone at the table is satisfied. I encourage you to try this recipe and enjoy the warm, cheesy goodness that comes with each bite. Whether for a family dinner or a gathering with friends, these stuffed shells are sure to impress.

Pizza Stuffed Shells

The ultimate comfort food, Pizza Stuffed Shells are cheesy, flavorful, and easy to make. Packed with savory meats and topped with gooey cheese, these shells are perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings. Try them tonight for a deliciously satisfying meal!

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine Italian

Servings 6 servings

Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

• Meat Chopper

Ingredients

  

• 12 ounce Jumbo pasta shells
• 1/2 pound Ground beef
• 1/2 pound Pork sausage
• 1/2 each Bell pepper (any color, chopped)
• 1 small Onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup Freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 small can Sliced olives
• to taste Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 24 ounce Marinara pasta sauce (or 5-minute pizza sauce)
• 4 ounces Pepperoni, chopped
• 1 heaping cup Shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

 

• Cook jumbo shells according to package instructions, until al-dente. Drain from water and lay out on a large dish to cool, so that they don't stick together.
• Meanwhile, brown ground beef and pork sausage in a large skillet over medium heat. Remove grease.
• Add cooked meat to a large mixing bowl. Add chopped bell pepper, onion, parmesan cheese, oregano, garlic, olives, and ½ cup of marinara sauce. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Spread a thin layer of sauce over the bottom of a 9x13'' or similar size pan.
• Add a heaping spoonful of meat mixture into each jumbo shell, filling them very full, and line them up along the bottom of a 9x13'' or similar size pan.
• Spoon remaining sauce evenly over the noodles. Top with chopped pepperoni and mozzarella cheese.
• Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Notes

• Tip 1: Leftover shells can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Just reheat in the microwave or oven.
• Tip 2: You can freeze uncooked stuffed shells. Just assemble them, cover tightly with foil, and place them in the freezer. Bake from frozen, adding an extra 10 to 15 minutes to the baking time.
• Tip 3: Serve your shells with a simple green salad or garlic bread to complete the meal.
• Tip 4: Add red pepper flakes to the meat mixture if you prefer a bit of heat.
• Tip 5: Try different types of cheese like ricotta or cheddar for a unique twist.

Keyword easy stuffed shells, Family-Friendly Dinner, pizza stuffed shells, stuffed shells recipe

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Meet Camila Rivera

I’m Camila, and I believe the very best meals are the ones that bring the whole family together. My passion is taking classic, beloved dishes and adding a spicy or zesty twist to wake up your palate. I have cooked, tweaked, and taste-tested this recipe right here in my own home kitchen to ensure it works perfectly for you. I hope you enjoy every single bite let me know how it turns out!