Taco Stuffed Shells

Here’s a delightful and unique recipe that combines the heartiness of Italian pasta with the zesty flavors of Mexican cuisine: Taco Stuffed Shells. This dish is a creative twist that’s sure to impress your family and friends. It serves four people and includes jumbo pasta shells stuffed with a savory mixture of ground beef, taco seasoning, refried beans, and cheese, all baked to perfection. The process involves cooking the pasta shells, preparing the taco-seasoned beef, stuffing the shells, and then baking them with salsa. Topped with green onions, more cheese, and a dollop of sour cream, this dish offers a fusion of flavors that’s both comforting and exciting. Perfect for a family dinner or a casual gathering, these Taco Stuffed Shells will add a flavorful spin to your mealtime!

Ingredients

• 16 jumbo pasta shells
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
• 1 cup water
• 1 (16 ounce) can refried beans
• 2/3 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 (16 ounce) jar salsa, divided
• 4 tablespoons sliced green onion
• 4 tablespoons shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Cook the Pasta Shells: In a large pot, bring water to a boil over high heat. Add the shell pasta and cook uncovered until slightly firm to the bite, about 13 minutes. Then drain the pasta well.
3. Prepare the Meat Filling:
   • In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and then drain off any excess fat.
   • Add the taco seasoning and 1 cup of water to the beef. Let it simmer over low heat until the mixture thickens, which should take about 5 minutes.
   • Stir in the refried beans and 2/3 cup of shredded Cheddar cheese into the beef mixture.
   • Once mixed, spoon this filling into the cooked pasta shells.
4. Assemble the Dish:
   • Take a 9×13 inch baking dish and spoon 1/2 cup of salsa over its bottom.
   • Arrange the filled shells over this layer of salsa.
   • Spoon the remaining salsa over the top of the shells.
5. Bake the Dish: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes.
6. Final Touches: After removing the dish from the oven, sprinkle it with 4 tablespoons of sliced green onion and 4 tablespoons of shredded Cheddar cheese.
7. Serve: Serve the taco stuffed shells with sour cream on the side.

This recipe should comfortably serve 8 people, maintaining the flavors and textures of the original recipe while doubling the quantity. Enjoy your meal!