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    Home » Recipes » Beef

    Easy Mexican Stuffed Shells

    Published: Aug 18, 2023 by Kristin · This post may contain affiliate links. · 2 Comments

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    Mexican Stuffed Shells combine classic stuffed shells with a Mexican flair! This stuffed shells recipe is packed with flavor and quick to prepare! Taco seasoned ground beef combined with cream cheese and stuffed into jumbo pasta shells! With an incredible enchilada sauce mixture on top, this cheesy dish is a family favorite!

    cheesy mexican stuffed shells in a baking pan

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    Jump to:
    • Homemade Taco Stuffed Shells
    • Why You’ll Love this recipe
    • Ingredients needed to make Mexican Stuffed Shells
    • How to make Mexican Stuffed Shells
    • What to serve with Taco Stuffed Shells
    • Storage Instructions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • More Mexican Inspired Recipes to try
    • Mexican Stuffed Shells Recipe

    Homemade Taco Stuffed Shells

    If you’re like me and LOVE Mexican food, this pasta shells recipe is a must try! The stuffed shells are rich, creamy, and of course, cheesy! Add your favorite taco toppings and make this your own! It’s a great way to change up Taco Tuesday! Since you can prep this meal ahead of time, it makes dinnertime a breeze!

    loaded pasta shells with taco inspired tastes

     

    Why You’ll Love this recipe

    • Quick and Easy– basically, its taco seasoned meat combined with cream cheese and stuffed into cooked shells. Easy peasy!
    • Packed with Flavor– all the flavors you love about tacos are also combined with a yummy pasta addition!
    • Can be made ahead of time– you can prepare this up to 1 day in advance and keep in the refrigerator until ready to bake! Saves time on those busy weeknights!
    • Freezer friendly– prepare the shells as directed, but rather then baking them, you can freeze them up to 3 months!

    enchilada sauce poured over cooked pasta shells with ground beef

    Ingredients needed to make Mexican Stuffed Shells

    See printable recipe card for exact ingredient amounts and step by step instructions.

    • Beef– or turkey, I use 80/20 lean ground beef in this recipe, just be sure to drain off the fat once cooked
    • Taco Seasoning– use store bought or try my homemade taco seasoning
    • Cream Cheese– softened full fat works the best in this recipe
    • Jumbo Pasta Shells– sometimes these can be hard to find in the grocery store. If needed, you can also use manicotti tubes
    • Red Enchilada Sauce– you’ll find this in the Mexican aisle at the grocery store. It is a red tomato based sauce
    • Salsa– use your favorite kind, any works
    • Cheddar Cheese– shredded, Mexican blend works, Monterey Jack cheese, Colby Jack Cheese, etc.
    • Mozzarella Cheese– shredded, if you don’t have any on hand, simply increase the amount of the Cheddar cheese
    • Toppings– see notes below

    Substitutions and Variations

    • You can make this vegetarian by omitting the meat. Use quinoa, pinto beans, or black beans instead with the cream cheese.
    • Meat– use ground chicken, pork, or sausage in place of the beef or turkey.
    • Vegetables– add in some diced onions or bell peppers with the meat mixture.
    • Bring the heat– jalapenos, diced green chiles, and hot sauce are all good additions to the meat mixture AND as toppings.
    • You can use taco sauce in place of the enchilada sauce if desired.

    Topping Suggestions

    This is the fun part! You can truly use any and every topping desired to make these into the ultimate taco shells!

    • Sour Cream
    • Salsa or Pico de Gallo
    • Guacamole
    • Black Olives
    • Diced Tomatoes
    • Diced Avocado’s
    • Jalapenos
    • Cilantro
    • Lime Zest and juice
    • Lettuce
    • Sliced Green Onions

    a pan of taco inspired stuffed pasta shells

    How to make Mexican Stuffed Shells

    1. In a large pot, boil water and cook pasta shells according to directions on box. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
    2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium skillet, cook ground beef over medium high heat until no longer pink. Drain fat.
    3. Add in the taco seasoning and mix well.
    4. Stir in the cream cheese until combined.
    5. In a medium bowl, combine the salsa and enchilada sauce.
    6. To prepare casserole, pour half the enchilada/salsa mixture into the bottom of a  9 x 13 baking dish.
    7. Stuff each cooked pasta shell with about 1 tablespoon of ground beef mixture and place stuffed shell in baking pan.
    8. Continue until all shells have been stuffed and pan is lined with shells.
    9. Pour remaining sauce on top of stuffed shells evenly.
    10. Cover pan with aluminum foil and place pan in oven to cook for 30 minutes.
    11. Remove foil and sprinkle both cheeses on top.
    12. Return pan to oven for an additional 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Remove and serve with desired toppings.

    cheese melted over stuffed pasta shells

    What to serve with Taco Stuffed Shells

    If you’re like my family and like a few different options on your plate besides the main course, here are some great options!

    • Restaurant Style Tableside Guacamole
    • Mexican Corn Casserole
    • Homemade Refried Beans
    • Restaurant Style Mexican Rice
    • Best Ever White Queso Dip

    Storage Instructions

    Since these delicious Mexican stuffed shells are just as tasty reheated, here are some storage tips to ensure freshness.

    • Refrigerator: once fully cooled, place in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
    • Freezer: place leftovers in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw before reheating. You can also freeze just the meat mixture to use at a later date. It stores for up to 3 months as well. Or, assemble the shells and freeze the taco bake uncooked.
    • Reheating Instructions: If refrigerated, simply microwave leftovers in 30 second increments. If frozen, allow to thaw and place the pan into the oven at 350 degrees for about 30-40 minutes, or heated through.

    a plate of pasta shells cooked and topped with taco toppings

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can you freeze these stuffed pasta shells?

    These shells make a great freezer meal! In fact, I love to make a double batch and place one into the oven to enjoy for dinner, and the other one in the freezer for a later meal. If you freeze the pan, cover with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil to ensure freshness and avoid freezer burn. I love making my extra pan in a disposable tin to simply toss out once I am done.

    What other pasta can I use if I can’t find jumbo shells?

    Manicotti tubes work for this recipe too. Manicotti tubes are tube shaped whereas the jumbo shells are a bite easier to stuff with their wider opening. Either works good though!

    How big are jumbo shells pasta?

    These large, concave shells are about the size of a golf ball and once cooked, are quite easy to stuff with the meat mixture.

    cheesy taco stuffed shells in a baking pan

    More Mexican Inspired Recipes to try

    Cheesy Mexican Chicken Spaghetti– a creamy pasta casserole with a Tex Mex spin, and a delicious, melty cheddar cheese topping.

    Mexican Burrito Roll-Ups– bite-size Mexican Tortilla Rollups are an easy appetizer to share at a party. Roll up, refrigerate, slice and serve with salsa.

    Taco Bell Copycat Crunchwrap Supreme– packed with yummy ingredients like beef, cheese, tomatoes, and crispy lettuce. Tastes even better than the original!

    King Ranch Chicken Casserole– a combo of chopped chicken, cheese, tortillas, and spicy tomatoes in a creamy sauce, and is a sure-fire hit.

    Taco Cornbread Casserole– cornbread base topped with seasoned ground beef, a creamy filling and topped with melted cheese! So good!

    Homemade Sour Cream Enchiladas– made with flour tortillas, shredded chicken, Mexican cheese, green chiles, and an amazing sour cream sauce! There’s no need to hit up the restaurants.

     

    This cheesy Mexican Stuffed Shell recipe is a delightful twist on a classic Italian dish. The combination of bold flavors from the seasoned ground beef, creamy cheese filling, and zesty enchilada sauce creates a mouthwatering explosion in every bite. Perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests, this recipe is sure to please even the pickiest eaters. So why not add some spice to your meal rotation and give these tasty shells a try? Your taste buds will thank you! If you give them a try, be sure to comment below and leave a star rating!

     

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    cheesy mexican stuffed shells in a baking pan

    Mexican Stuffed Shells Recipe

    Recipe by: Kristin
    Discover the ultimate fusion of Mexican and Italian cuisines with our delectable stuffed shells recipe. Indulge in layers of spicy ground beef, gooey melted cheese, and tangy enchilada sauce – a flavor explosion you won't want to miss!
    4.25 from 12 votes
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    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 50 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian, Mexican
    Servings 6
    Calories 460 kcal

    Equipment

    • 9x13 baking pan
    • Mixing Bowls
    • Avocado Slicer

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 lb ground beef (or turkey)
    • 2 tablespoon taco seasoning (see recipe below)
    • 4 oz cream cheese
    • 8 oz jumbo pasta shells
    • 10 oz red enchilada sauce
    • 1 cup salsa
    • 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
    • ½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
    • sour cream, avocado, tomato, lettuce (optional as toppings)

    Instructions
     

    • In a large pot, boil water and cook pasta shells according to directions on box. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    • In a medium skillet, cook beef over medium high heat until no longer pink. Drain fat.
    • Add in the taco seasoning and mix well.
    • Stir in the cream cheese until combined.
    • In a medium bowl, combine the salsa and enchilada sauce.
    • To prepare casserole, pour half the enchilada/salsa mixture into the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking pan.
    • Stuff each cooked pasta shell with about 1 tablespoon of beef mixture and place stuffed shell in baking pan.
    • Continue until all shells have been stuffed and pan is lined with shells.
    • Pour remaining sauce on top of stuffed shells evenly.
    • Cover pan with alumium foil and place pan in oven to cook for 30 minutes.
    • Remove foil and sprinkle both cheeses on top.
    • Return pan to oven for an additional 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
    • Serve with toppings of choice or as is! Enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 460kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 23gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 936mgPotassium: 432mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 923IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 99mgIron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @TheCookinChicks or tag #TheCookinChicks!

    Supplies used:


    Baking Pan  https://amzn.to/2KuybvU

    Enchilada Sauce https://amzn.to/2tMlXrm

    Looking for more Mexican recipes to spice up dinner time? Check out these recipes to try next:

    • Mexican Chicken Bake
    • Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas
    • Cilantro Lime Pork Tacos

     

     

     

    More Beef

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    • sour cream on top of bell peppers that have a ground beef mixture inside.
      Taco Stuffed Peppers
    • loaded chips with seasoned beef, beans, corn, and toppings.
      Ground Beef Nachos
    • Taco Pasta Salad in a wood serving bowl.
      Taco Pasta Salad
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    Comments

    1. Patricia Toomey says

      February 18, 2020 at 10:10 am

      Can you freeze these recipes to eat latter. Thank

      Reply
      • Kristin says

        February 18, 2020 at 11:15 am

        Pasta can be hit or miss refreezing it, but I have frozen this prior to baking it before and its been good! I haven’t tried cooking it and then freezing, but it should still be great!

        Reply
    4.25 from 12 votes (12 ratings without comment)

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    Welcome to The Cookin' Chicks…I am so glad you've stopped by! I am Kristin, a busy mom of 3, a wife, and a family chef! There are three things that motivate me each day - Family, Faith, and FOOD! I, along with the occasional help of friends and family, want to share my food creations with you! So, I invite you to join me around my dinner table through the recipes that I will share with you here. I hope you will enjoy the journey as much as I do!

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