Mexican Stuffed Shells Recipe
This Mexican Stuffed Shells recipe combines tender jumbo pasta shells filled with taco-seasoned ground beef and cream cheese, all topped with zesty enchilada sauce and melty cheese. It’s an easy Mexican dinner that’s perfect for weeknights, freezer-friendly, and packed with flavor the whole family will love!
Servings: 6
Calories: 460kcal
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
- 2 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 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
- Cook Pasta Shells – Boil jumbo shells according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- Prepare Meat Filling – In a skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain fat, then stir in taco seasoning and cream cheese until combined.
- Mix the Sauce – In a bowl, combine enchilada sauce and salsa.
- Assemble the Dish – Pour half of the sauce into a greased 9x13 baking dish. Fill each shell with about 1 tablespoon of the beef mixture and place in the pan.
- Add Sauce and Bake – Pour remaining sauce over the stuffed shells. Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.
- Top with Cheese – Remove foil, sprinkle with shredded cheeses, and bake an additional 10 minutes until bubbly.
- Serve – Top with your favorite taco toppings and enjoy!
Notes
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Freeze unbaked shells or leftovers for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Microwave or reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.
- Sour cream
- Pico de gallo or salsa
- Diced avocados or guacamole
- Black olives
- Jalapeños
- Shredded lettuce
- Chopped cilantro
- Lime wedges
- Green onions
Nutrition
Calories: 460kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 936mg | Potassium: 432mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 923IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 99mg | Iron: 3mg
