Description
Slow Cooker Stuffed Shells with Meat – Comforting Italian pasta dish with tender pasta shells, savory meat, and gooey cheese, all cooked low and slow.
Ingredients
Scale
- 24–26 jumbo pasta shells (about 8 oz/225g)
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio works best)
- ½ lb (225g) Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 medium onion, finely diced (about 1 cup/160g)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced (about 1 tablespoon/9g)
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 15 oz (425g) ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups (8 oz/225g) shredded mozzarella, divided
- ½ cup (1.8 oz/50g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 24 oz (680g) marinara sauce
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Pasta Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook jumbo shells according to package directions, reducing the cooking time by 2 minutes to ensure they remain al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse immediately with cold water to stop the cooking process. Lay shells out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking while you prepare the filling.
- Step 2: Make the Meat Filling In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking it into small crumbles as it cooks (about 7-8 minutes). Add the diced onion and continue cooking until softened (about 3-4 minutes). Stir in minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using, cooking for another minute until fragrant. Drain any excess fat. Transfer the meat mixture to a large bowl and let it cool for 10 minutes.
- Step 3: Prepare the Cheese Mixture In a separate bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly until well combined. Once the meat mixture has cooled slightly, fold it into the cheese mixture until evenly distributed.
- Step 4: Assemble in the Slow Cooker Spread about 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly across the bottom of your slow cooker. Take each pasta shell and fill it generously with approximately 1½-2 tablespoons of the meat and cheese mixture. Place the filled shells in the slow cooker, open side up, creating a single layer. Depending on your slow cooker size, you may need to stack some shells, which is perfectly fine.
- Step 5: Cook to Perfection Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells, ensuring all pasta is covered to prevent drying. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1½-2 hours, until the shells are tender and the filling is hot throughout. In the last 15 minutes of cooking, sprinkle the remaining cup of mozzarella on top and cover again until melted.
- Step 6: Serve and Garnish Once cooked, let your Slow Cooker Stuffed Shells with Meat rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken slightly. Garnish with fresh chopped basil and additional Parmesan if desired. Serve with garlic bread for a complete, satisfying meal that showcases your slow-cooked masterpiece.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 stuffed shells
- Calories: 450 calories per serving
- Sugar: 6 grams
- Sodium: 830 mg
- Fat: 28 grams
- Saturated Fat: 13 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 24 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Protein: 25 grams
- Cholesterol: 105 mg