Taco Stuffed Pasta Shells Recipe

Craving a hearty and flavorful meal? These Taco Stuffed Pasta Shells are bursting with delicious taco-seasoned beef, creamy cheese, and zesty salsa! Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a fun family gathering. This recipe is easily adaptable to your spice preferences and dietary needs. Get ready for a taste explosion!

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 60 mins

Calories 346.4 kcal

Protein 78g

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Recipe Author

The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Taco Stuffed Pasta Shells

24 jumbo pasta shells
Extra Lean Ground Beef
Taco Seasoning Mix
1 cup water
Refried Black Beans
Low Fat Cheddar Cheese
½ cup salsa
Green Onion
sour cream, for serving

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How to Make Taco Stuffed Pasta Shells

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Brown 1 lb ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon.
Drain off any excess grease.
Add 1 packet taco seasoning mix and 1 cup water to the skillet. Stir well.
Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
Stir in 1 (15-ounce) can of drained and rinsed kidney beans and ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese.
Mix thoroughly.
Spread ¼ cup of your favorite salsa evenly over the bottom of two 8x8 inch baking dishes.
Fill jumbo pasta shells with the beef mixture. (You may need to adjust the amount of filling depending on shell size).
Arrange half of the filled shells in each baking dish, filled side up.
Spoon the remaining salsa over the shells.
**To Freeze (makes 1 frozen meal):** Cover one baking dish with plastic wrap, then tightly with foil. Label and freeze for up to 2 months.
**To Bake Fresh:** Cover the remaining baking dish with foil.
Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the shells are heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Sprinkle with ¼ cup chopped green onions and the remaining cheese.
Serve immediately with sour cream.
**To Bake Frozen Shells:** Place the frozen baking dish in the refrigerator overnight to thaw. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Remove the plastic wrap. Recover with foil. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until heated through and bubbly.
Sprinkle with ¼ cup sliced green onions and ¼ cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese.
Serve with sour cream.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

55 g

Sugar

17g

Fat

21g

Carbs

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

Main Courses Main Dish / Dinner Beef & Red Meat Ground Beef Recipes Bean & Lentil Recipes The Americas American Mexican Game Day Recipes Baking

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

60 Minutes Or Less Time To Make Course Main Ingredient Cuisine Preparation North American Main Dish Beef Pasta Easy Kid Friendly Dietary Ground Beef Meat Pasta Rice And Grains Pasta Shells Presentation Served Hot

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make Taco Stuffed Pasta Shells?

Taco Stuffed Pasta Shells takes about 80 minutes from start to finish — roughly 20 minutes to prepare and 60 minutes to cook.

How many calories are in Taco Stuffed Pasta Shells?

Taco Stuffed Pasta Shells has approximately 346.4 calories per serving, with about 78 g protein, 8 g carbohydrates and 14 g fat.

What ingredients do I need for Taco Stuffed Pasta Shells?

The key ingredients for Taco Stuffed Pasta Shells are Pasta Shells, Extra Lean Ground Beef, Taco Seasoning Mix, Water, Refried Black Beans, Low Fat Cheddar Cheese. See the full list with measurements above.