Description

A hearty, kid-friendly weeknight dinner that combines savory taco-seasoned beef with creamy, cheesy stuffed pasta shells. This one-dish wonder is easy to make, freezes well, and offers flexible ingredient options.

Ingredients

Scale

12–15 oz jumbo pasta shells
1 lb ground beef (80/20 recommended)
1 packet taco seasoning (or 2–3 tbsp homemade)
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup corn (frozen or canned)
1 cup salsa (medium or hot)
1/2 cup sour cream
2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
2–3 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
Optional: 1/2 cup diced jalapeños
Optional: 1/2 cup diced tomatoes, drained
Optional: 1/4 cup guacamole for serving

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook jumbo shells al dente (8-9 minutes), drain, rinse with cold water, and lay shell-side up.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess grease if desired, leaving some for flavor.
Reduce heat to medium. Add taco seasoning to the beef and cook for 1 minute. Stir in black beans, corn, salsa, and sour cream until well combined.
Fill each shell with about 2-3 tablespoons of the beef mixture.
Arrange stuffed shells seam-side down in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour remaining filling over the top.
Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the dish.
Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with green onions.

Notes

Do not overcook the pasta; it should be al dente as it will finish cooking in the oven. Ensure beans and salsa are well-drained to prevent a watery casserole. This dish freezes well before or after baking. For a lighter version, use ground turkey and low-fat cheese.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 stuffed shell with
Calories: 450
Sugar: 4
Sodium: 650
Fat: 20
Saturated Fat: 10
Carbohydrates: 42
Fiber: 6
Protein: 28

Keywords: taco stuffed shells, beef pasta, family dinner, weeknight meals, comfort food, cheesy casserole, easy recipes