Name: Taco Stuffed Shells
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: Mexican, Tex Mex
Ingredients: 20 jumbo pasta shells; 1 pound ground beef ground turkey or ground chicken; 1 small onion, finely chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 packet taco seasoning mix; 1 - 14-ounce can of pinto or black beans, drained and rinsed; 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese and more if needed for the top; 2 cups taco sauce, crushed tomatoes, or salsa; Garnish: sour cream, shredded cheese, more salsa warmed, diced tomato, diced avocado, diced onions, sliced black or green olives

This recipe for "Taco Stuffed Shells" is a wonderful casserole addition that compliments a filled pasta topped with salsa, cheese, and stuffed with all the flavors of a taco that even the kids will love!

This is a favorite during an American-style celebration for Cinco De Mayo, we love to partake in the festivities with this Americanized delicious casserole.

The casserole is easy to make any weeknight and even delicious enough to serve guests

Taco meat stuffed into a large pasta shell covered in a wonderful sauce and loaded with melted cheese.

The whole meal from start to finish can be made in less than an hour.

Kids love this and the young at heart will enjoy this dish
.
You may be more familiar with Mom's classic Italian Style Stuffed Shells with ricotta cheese and Italian sauces, this takes a new spin on that popular traditional style casserole and a nice change.

For this delicious easy recipe scroll to the bottom of the page, hit print to avoid ads, and let's get this dinner on the table!

Easy Steps for Making Stuffed Shells and Tips:

Boil the stuffed shells according to the package instructions
Make your favorite filling for tacos or our recipe below
Stuff the shells
Top with sauce and cheese
Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbling
Tips: any cooked meats can be used ground or left chunkier
Use your favorite sauce or canned tomatoes
Season the sauce to your own taste with chili or taco seasonings
Add hot sauce or cayenne pepper for a spicier meal
Cook the shells to Al dente they will finish cooking in the oven
Add more sauce and cheese if you love a real saucy casserole and cheesy
These can be frozen for a quick meal and made ahead of time

cooked ground beef with onions and garlic with tomato sauce for tacos

Shopping list (full recipe in the printable recipe card below at the bottom):

jumbo pasta shells ground beef ground turkey or ground chicken
onion, finely chopped
garlic, minced
taco seasoning mix
pinto or black beans, drained and rinsed
sharp cheddar cheese and more if needed for the top
taco sauce, crushed tomatoes, or salsa
Garnish: sour cream, shredded cheese, more salsa warmed, diced tomato, diced avocado, diced onions, sliced black or green olives

Garnish:

any kinds of sliced olives
any kinds of shredded cheese or queso
chopped onions, jalapenos, diced tomatoes, diced peppers
sour cream
avocado slices or guacamole
salsa
corn
crumbled bacon
tortilla chips, or crackers

beef taco mix and cheese stuffed pasta shells

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pasta recipes, stuffed pasta recipes, Mexican pasta recipes, Cinco de mayo foods

Mexican, Tex Mex

Author: Claudia Lamascolo

Taco Stuffed Shells

This recipe for taco stuffed shells is a twist on the traditional Italian style stuffed shells with a filling addition of taco beef and cheese.

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 55 MinTotal time: 1 H & 10 M

Ingredients

20 jumbo pasta shells
1 pound ground beef ground turkey or ground chicken
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 packet taco seasoning mix
1 - 14-ounce can of pinto or black beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese and more if needed for the top
2 cups taco sauce, crushed tomatoes, or salsa
Garnish: sour cream, shredded cheese, more salsa warmed, diced tomato, diced avocado, diced onions, sliced black or green olives

Instructions

Grease a 13 x 9 baking pan, Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Cook the large shells according to package instructions, then drain them, do not rinse (add a little olive oil or cooking spray to keep them apart from sticking) then set aside.
In a large fry pan, saute the meat until all the pink is gone.
Drain the fat or blot with a paper towel in the pan.
In the same pan add the onion and garlic then saute in that same pan for 2 minutes until fragrant.
Stir in the beans and taco mix.
Simmer on low heat for around 3 minutes.
In a medium-sized bowl add 1 cup of the sauce with the cheese and combine together.
Pour one cup of sauce into a greased casserole dish and set it aside.
Stuff each shell with the bean and the meat mixture.
Pour the rest of the sauce and cheese mixture on top (and add more cheese if you prefer).
Note: for a very saucy casserole you can add more of the sauce you're using.
Bake for 25 minutes or until the cheese melts.