How to Cook Appetizing Unstuffed Shells

Unstuffed Shells. Because the jumbo shells we use already have a nice, wide opening, just begging to scoop up all the meaty-cheesy goodness. This Unstuffed Shells Casserole checks off both of those boxes! Traditional Stuffed Shells are fantastic, but I'm too impatient to make them.

This can be made ahead of time and frozen for an easy dinner. Tomato Pesto - Saucy, creamy, delicious unstuffed pasta shells with butternut squash and tomato pesto. I don't enjoy stuffing shells - takes far too long! - and for that reason, I just didn't. You can cook Unstuffed Shells using 14 ingredients and 6 steps. Here is how you cook that.

Ingredients of Unstuffed Shells

1. You need 4 cups of basic sized shell pasta.
2. You need 1 tbsp. of olive oil.
3. You need 1/2 of yellow onion, diced.
4. It's 3 cloves of garlic, minced.
5. You need 1 lb. of ground beef (or turkey or sausage).
6. You need 1 can (28 oz.) of unsalted crushed tomatoes.
7. It's 1 can (14 oz.) of unsalted diced tomatoes.
8. It's 1 tsp. of each dried basil, brown sugar.
9. You need 1/2 tsp. of salt, Italian seasoning.
10. You need 1/4 tsp. of each dried oregano, pepper.
11. You need 2 of heaping cups spinach, chopped.
12. You need 8 oz. of ricotta cheese.
13. You need 1 cup of freshly shredded mozzarella cheese, divided.
14. Prepare 1/2 cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese.

Now let's add in our jumbo shells. Use a spoon or spatula to press them down into the liquid but DO NOT STIR them in. One Pot Unstuffed Shells - this easy stuffed shell recipe is all made in one pot without all the extra work! It's a great weeknight meal that everyone loves, brought to you by HemisFares.

Unstuffed Shells instructions

1. Begin by cooking the shell pasta according to package directions. Then drain the shells, return them to the pot and set it aside. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13" baking pan with foil and grease it. Set this aside also..
2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once it's hot, add the onion and beef and cook, stirring often and breaking up the meat as it cooks, until it is no longer pink. Drain any excess fat out..
3. Add the garlic to the cooked beef and cook for a minute or so, until fragrant. Then add the crushed tomato, diced tomato, brown sugar and all seasonings, along with the spinach. Once the spinach wilts, remove it from the heat..
4. Pour the beef mixture into the pot with the drained shells. Add in the ricotta cheese and 1/2 cup of the mozzarella and stir it all together..
5. Pour the shell mixture into the prepared baking pan. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and parmesan evenly over the top and cover with a piece of foil..
6. Bake for 20 minutes, then remove the top foil and bake uncovered for 10 more minutes, until everything is heated through and the cheese is golden. Serve immediately and refrigerate any leftovers..

Cheesy jumbo stuffed shells have undeniable appeal, but preboiling and stuffing individual shells can be an ordeal. We set out to make an unstuffed version in which the pasta cooked directly in the sauce. This Unstuffed Shells Easy Recipe is Perfect for a Delicious Lunch or Dinner. Unstuffed shells are perfect because they can be made in advance and then baked in the oven right before your event. Cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt.