Description
Cheesy Taco Stuffed Shells are a creamy, juicy, and irresistible baked pasta dish featuring jumbo pasta shells stuffed with a flavorful blend of seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, and cheeses, topped with zesty salsa and melted mozzarella. This crowd-pleaser combines Mexican-inspired flavors with comforting Italian pasta for an easy, family-friendly meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta Shells
- 20 jumbo pasta shells, cooked al dente
Filling
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning (1 oz)
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn, frozen or canned
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
Topping
- 2 cups salsa
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the stuffed shells.
- Cook Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes, breaking it apart evenly while cooking.
- Add Seasoning and Veggies: Stir in the taco seasoning, black beans, and corn, and cook for an additional 3 minutes until everything is heated through and well combined.
- Mix Cheeses: Remove the skillet from heat, then stir in the softened cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese until the mixture is creamy and well blended.
- Stuff Shells: Carefully stuff each cooked jumbo pasta shell with the cheesy beef mixture, then arrange them evenly in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Add Toppings: Pour the salsa evenly over the stuffed shells, then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top to cover.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh cilantro before serving for a fresh and vibrant finish.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, choose a hot salsa or add chopped jalapeños to the filling.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter protein option.
- To make this dish vegetarian, omit the beef and increase the black beans and corn quantities.
- Make sure to cook the pasta shells al dente so they hold their shape when stuffed and baked.
- This dish can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving.
