Hearty Stuffed Shells & Meatball Bake Delicious Dish

Ingredients

• 20 large pasta shells
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1/2 pound Italian sausage, casing removed
• 1 jar marinara sauce (24 oz, divided)
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (plus extra for topping)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• to taste salt and pepper
• for garnish fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta shells until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
3. In a skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and Italian sausage. Cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat, then add minced garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 2 minutes.
4. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese (1 cup), Parmesan cheese, and the egg. Stir until well blended.
5. Carefully stuff each cooked shell with the meat mixture, and then spoon a generous amount of the cheese mixture into each shell. Place the stuffed shells in a large baking dish.
6. Pour half of the marinara sauce over the stuffed shells, ensuring they are well covered.
7. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle additional mozzarella cheese on top, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until bubbly and golden.
8. Take the dish out of the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.