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Meatball Stuffed Shell Pasta Recipe

Meatball Stuffed Shell Pasta

A hearty dish featuring jumbo pasta shells stuffed with meatballs and cheese, baked in spaghetti sauce.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 7 servings
Calories 320 kcal

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch baking dish For baking the stuffed shells.

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 21 jumbo shells jumbo pasta shells
  • 21 oz frozen meatballs (½ oz each)
  • 16 oz cottage cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
  • 0.25 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons dried parsley
  • 1 large egg
  • 24 oz spaghetti sauce

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set it aside.
  • Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain them and let them cool. Make sure they are al dente so they hold up well when stuffed.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese, grated parmesan cheese, egg, dried parsley, and 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Mix well until everything is combined. For an extra kick of flavor, consider adding some Italian seasoning or garlic powder to this mixture.
  • Carefully stuff each pasta shell with the cheese mixture and place one meatball inside each shell. Arrange the stuffed shells in the prepared baking dish. Take your time with this step to avoid tearing the shells.
  • Pour the spaghetti sauce over the stuffed shells, ensuring they are well covered. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top to create a golden, bubbly crust.
  • If you want to save this dish for later, you can freeze it at this point. Otherwise, bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the dish is bubbly and the cheese is melted. Keep an eye on it to prevent over-browning.

Notes

For added flavor, consider mixing in some Italian seasoning or garlic powder into the cheese mixture. You can substitute the meatballs with cooked ground beef if preferred.
Keyword Meatball Stuffed Shell Pasta Recipe