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A fun twist on taco night! Tender jumbo pasta shells are filled with a savory, seasoned ground beef and bean mixture, then baked with salsa and melted cheese. It's a crowd-pleasing casserole that brings the best of Italian and Tex-Mex flavors to your dinner table, perfect for a family meal.
Cook Pasta and Preheat Oven
Prepare the Taco Filling
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A fun twist on taco night! Tender jumbo pasta shells are filled with a savory, seasoned ground beef and bean mixture, then baked with salsa and melted cheese. It's a crowd-pleasing casserole that brings the best of Italian and Tex-Mex flavors to your dinner table, perfect for a family meal.
This tex_mex recipe takes 50 minutes to prepare and yields 6 servings. At 876 calories per serving with 54.1g of protein, it's a beginner-friendly recipe perfect for dinner or lunch.
Assemble the Stuffed Shells
Bake the Casserole
Garnish and Serve
Substitute the ground beef with ground turkey, ground chicken, or chorizo for a different flavor profile.
For a vegetarian version, replace the ground beef with a 15-ounce can of rinsed lentils, crumbled tofu, or a plant-based ground meat substitute. You can also add finely chopped mushrooms and bell peppers for more texture.
Add a finely chopped jalapeño or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the meat mixture for extra heat. Using a spicy salsa will also increase the spice level.
Use a mix of Monterey Jack and sharp cheddar cheese for a richer flavor. A sprinkle of cotija cheese after baking adds a salty, authentic touch.
Ground beef and black beans provide a substantial amount of high-quality protein, which is essential for muscle repair, growth, and overall body function.
Black beans and corn contribute significant dietary fiber, which aids in digestion, helps maintain stable blood sugar levels, and promotes a feeling of fullness.
This dish offers important minerals like iron from the ground beef, vital for oxygen transport in the blood, and magnesium and potassium from the black beans, which support nerve function and heart health.
Taco Stuffed Shells can be part of a balanced diet. It provides a good amount of protein from beef and fiber from beans. To make it healthier, you can use lean ground turkey or a plant-based protein, opt for low-fat cheese, and serve it with a side salad.
A typical serving of about 4 stuffed shells contains approximately 600-650 calories. This can vary based on the specific ingredients used, such as the fat content of the ground beef and the type of cheese.
Absolutely! To make it vegetarian, replace the ground beef with a can of rinsed lentils, crumbled extra-firm tofu, or a plant-based ground meat alternative. You can also add more vegetables like diced bell peppers or mushrooms to the filling.
Yes, this is a great make-ahead meal. You can assemble the entire casserole, cover it tightly with foil or plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, you may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time since it will be cold.
To freeze, assemble the casserole in a freezer-safe dish but do not bake. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed.
It's common for a few shells to break. That's why it's a good idea to cook a few extra. If you have a lot of broken pieces, you can chop them up and mix them into the filling for a deconstructed-style casserole layer at the bottom of the dish.