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Southwest Beef Shells Recipe

This award-winning recipe (2nd place in the 1995 Mississippi Beef Cook-Off!) comes from a family recipe swap, bringing the fiery flavors of the Southwest to your table. Aunt Shirley's secret? A blend of savory beef, zesty picante sauce, and melted cheese, all nestled in perfectly cooked jumbo pasta shells. Easily customizable with ground turkey and adaptable to your spice preference (we love it with a kick!), this easy weeknight meal is a crowd-pleaser. Serve with our recommended jalapeño cheese bread for a truly unforgettable Southwestern experience!

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 50 mins
Calories 705 kcal
Protein 80g
Rating 5.0 (4 Reviews)
Southwest Beef Shells 16

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Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Southwest Beef Shells

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How to Make Southwest Beef Shells

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook pasta shells according to package directions, usually in 3 quarts of boiling water for 12 minutes, stirring often. Drain well and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
  3. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add ground beef and brown completely, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain off any excess grease.
  4. [Add remaining ingredients here – a full ingredient list is required to complete these steps].
  5. Spread 1/4 cup of picante sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch casserole dish.
  6. Fill each pasta shell with a spoonful of the meat mixture and arrange them in the casserole dish over the sauce.
  7. Place any extra meat mixture on top of the shells.
  8. Pour the remaining picante sauce evenly over the shells.
  9. Sprinkle generously with shredded cheddar cheese.
  10. Cover the casserole dish and bake for 30 minutes, or until heated through and bubbly.
  11. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving. Serve immediately with jalapeño cheese bread (recipe not included).

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

50 g

Sugar

19g

Fat

81g

Carbs

21g

Recipe Categories (Choose a category and find related recipes!)

Main Courses Main Dish / Dinner Sweets & Sides Drinks & Cocktails Beef & Red Meat Ground Beef Recipes Salmon Recipes Shrimp Recipes The Americas American Mexican Southern Game Day Recipes

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

60 Minutes Or Less Time To Make Course Main Ingredient Preparation Casseroles Main Dish Beef Eggs Dairy Pasta Oven Easy Cheese One Dish Meal Inexpensive Ground Beef Meat Pasta Rice And Grains Pasta Shells Equipment