Made with only seven ingredients in under an hour, these Ultimate Taco Stuffed Shells are the perfect recipe for busy weeknights when you still want to put a family-friendly dinner on the table.
Easy Taco Stuffed Shells
Yes, you read that right: taco-stuffed pasta shells! You no longer have to choose between Italian or Mexican food for dinner—this dish includes it all. Tender pasta shells filled with a creamy beef mixture, topped with enchilada sauce, cheese, and of course all the toppings you desire! What’s not to love, right?!
Years ago, this recipe entered our meal rotation and since then, it has quickly become a family favorite! My kids love adding sour cream, extra cheese, and avocado slices to their portions. My hubby and I tend to add a splash of hot sauce, some diced jalapenos, and black olives. It’s a fun variation of Taco Tuesday and a dish the everyone will enjoy!
Ingredients Needed for Ultimate Taco Stuffed Shells:
Beef or Turkey- ground
Taco Seasoning- homemade or 1 packet
Cream Cheese
Salsa- any type desired
Taco Sauce
Jumbo Pasta Shells
Mexican Cheese- shredded
Tortilla Chips- broken into smaller pieces
Sour Cream/Jalapenos/Black Olives/Lettuce
* See recipe card below for exact measurements
How to prepare:
Cook pasta shells according to package directions, cooking until al dente.
Drain shells and lay onto parchment paper to allow to cool.
In a skillet, cook the ground beef/turkey until no longer pink.
Drain fat and add in the taco seasoning and cream cheese, stirring until melted.
Add a spoonful of the meat mixture to the middle of the pasta shells.
Place stuffed shells on the bottom of a greased 9 x 13 baking dish.
Pour the salsa and taco sauce evenly over entire pan.
Cover dish with tin foil and bake at 350 for about 30 minutes.
Remove foil, sprinkle cheese and chips on top and return to oven for an additional 10 minutes.
Take out of oven and serve with desired toppings!!
Toppings to try on these Ultimate Taco Stuffed Shells
Diced Avocado
Chopped Tomatoes
Hot Sauce
Black Olives
Shredded Lettuce
Diced Jalapenos
Green Chiles
Extra Cheese
Check out these other great recipes:
Copycat Taco Bell Mexican Pizza
Instant Pot Beef Enchilada Casserole
Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas
Ultimate Taco Stuffed Shells
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb beef *ground, or turkey
- 1 packet taco seasoning *or homemade, see recipe above recipe card
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 16 oz salsa
- 16 oz taco sauce
- 1 lb jumbo pasta shells
- 2 cups Mexican cheese *shredded
- 1 cup tortilla chips *crushed
- toppings of choice
Instructions
- Cook pasta shells according to package directions, cooking until al dente.
- Drain shells and lay onto parchment paper to allow to cool.
- In a skillet, cook the ground beef/turkey until no longer pink.
- Drain fat and add in the taco seasoning and cream cheese, stirring until melted.
- Add a spoonful of the meat mixture to the middle of the pasta shells.
- Place stuffed shells on the bottom of a greased 9 x 13 baking dish.
- Pour the salsa and taco sauce evenly over entire pan.
- Cover dish with tin foil and bake at 350 for about 30 minutes.
- Remove foil, sprinkle cheese and chips on top and return to oven for an additional 10 minutes.
- Remove from oven and serve with desired toppings!! Enjoy!!
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