meat stuffed shells

(3 ratings)
Recipe by
Tanya Neenan
Muncy, PA

I used to be a military wife and we were stationed in Northern Italy. I had a couple of Italian friends and got this recipe from one. Hope you like garlic b/c once you smell this you know it's gonna be great!! It does take some time but it's quite easy and it's so worth it. I'm asked to make these for family/friends often :) I'm sorry if I get too precise...my first posted recipe :)

(3 ratings)
prep time 1 Hr
cook time 30 Min

Ingredients For meat stuffed shells

  • TOMATO SAUCE
  • 2 can
    crushed or puree tomatoes
  • 2 Tbsp
    minced garlic ( don't be shy!)
  • 2 Tbsp
    extra virgin olive oil
  • MEAT MIXTURE
  • 2 lb
    hamburger (you choose how lean you want it b/c you won't be draining the fat.)
  • 1/2-1 lb
    cooked or chopped ham (i use deli), diced
  • 12 oz
    shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 BOX JUMBO SHELLS

How To Make meat stuffed shells

  • 1
    Preheat oven to 425. In a medium sauce pan, add the olive oil and garlic and place on medium heat. Once it starts cooking add both cans of tomatoes. Cover and once it starts to boil reduce heat and let it cook while you're preparing other items
  • 2
    In a very large skillet or a medium sized pot, brown the hamburger and ham together. Once it's completely cooked YOU WILL NOT DRAIN!! You can turn off heat and add 1/2 the mozz cheese and keep the other half to top off the shells at the end. Mix the cheese in with the meat until its completely blended. NOTE: as you can see the mozz will not clump b/c of the fat:)
  • 3
    boil the shells as directed on package. I usually take a few minutes OFF the boiling minutes so the shells are easier to stuff and also they will fully cook in the oven
  • 4
    In a casserole pan or even cake pan, spread some of the sauce to keep shells from sticking. Stuff the shells and place in the pan. Slowly, pour the sauce over the shells. NOTE: all depending on how much you use in each shell you might have leftover meat AND if you have sauce left over, you can kick that up with adding some peppers or hot sauce. Sprinkle remaining cheese over shells and cover pan with aluminum and place in oven for 30 mins. OH...spray aluminum with non stick before covering it so the cheese doesn't stick to it:)
  • 5
    awesome with the basic 'Italian' sides of garlic bread/italian bread, salad and great wine:) Enjoy!!

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