Savory Cheesesteak Stuffed Shells Recipe: A Cozy Dinner Win

Shells bursting with savory cheesesteak flavors promise a delightful twist on classic comfort food.

Juicy beef and melted cheese create an irresistible combination inside perfectly cooked pasta pockets.

Philadelphia’s iconic sandwich meets Italian-inspired pasta in this mouthwatering mashup.

Tender meat mingles with gooey provolone, delivering a satisfying punch of flavor in every bite.

Caramelized onions and bell peppers add depth and complexity to this crowd-pleasing dish.

Simple ingredients come together to create something extraordinary that will have everyone asking for seconds.

You’ll want to bookmark this recipe for your next weekend cooking adventure.

Why Cheesesteak Stuffed Shells Hit The Spot

• Customize with Ease: Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based protein for a personalized twist that suits every dietary preference.
• Quick Family Crowd-Pleaser: Packed with hearty meat, colorful vegetables, and gooey cheese, this dish guarantees smiles from kids and adults alike during weeknight dinners.
• Meal Prep Champion: Prepare shells ahead of time, refrigerate, and bake when ready, making it perfect for busy households seeking convenient and delicious meal solutions.
• Comfort Food Delight: Delivers a warm, satisfying experience with layers of rich flavors and textures that transform simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal at home.

Everything You Need For Cheesesteak Stuffed Shells

• Jumbo Pasta Shells: Large, curved pasta that provides an ideal vessel for holding savory meat and vegetable filling.
• Ground Beef or Thinly Sliced Steak: Protein-rich meat that forms the hearty core of the dish.

• Onions, Bell Peppers: Vegetables that add sweetness, texture, and depth of flavor to the meat mixture.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides a robust and pungent base for the filling.

• Provolone Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese: Melty cheeses that create a rich, creamy topping for the stuffed shells.
• Salt, Black Pepper, Worcestershire Sauce: Seasonings that enhance and balance the overall taste of the dish.
• Beef Broth: Liquid that adds moisture and intensifies the meat's natural flavors.
• Marinara Sauce: Optional sauce that provides additional moisture and a classic Italian taste.

• Olive Oil: Cooking fat used for sautéing vegetables and preventing sticking.
• Cooking Spray: Optional alternative for greasing the baking dish.
• Fresh Parsley: Herb used for garnishing and adding a fresh, bright note to the final dish.

Steps To Prepare Cheesesteak Stuffed Shells

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Preheat your oven to a toasty 375°F. Grab a large baking dish and give it a quick spray with cooking oil to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Sauté Colorful Vegetables

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in diced onions and bell peppers, cooking them until they turn soft and develop a beautiful golden color, which takes about 5-6 minutes.

Step 3: Add Aromatic Garlic

Sprinkle minced garlic into the vegetable mix. Stir constantly for 30 seconds to release its incredible fragrance without burning.

Step 4: Brown the Meat

Add ground beef or thinly sliced steak to the skillet. Break it down and cook until completely browned with no pink showing, which takes around 7-8 minutes.

Step 5: Season the Mixture

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Worcestershire sauce

Stir thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly.

Step 6: Create a Savory Liquid Base

Pour beef broth into the skillet. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to boost moisture and deepen the meat’s flavor.

Step 7: Cook Pasta Shells

Boil pasta shells in salted water until they reach al dente perfection, typically 8-9 minutes. Drain and let them cool slightly.

Step 8: Stuff the Shells

Fill each pasta shell generously with the meat and vegetable mixture. Ensure an even and full distribution.

Step 9: Add Cheesy Goodness

Layer provolone and mozzarella cheeses over the stuffed shells, completely covering them.

Step 10: Optional Sauce Drizzle

If desired, add a marinara sauce drizzle for extra moisture and flavor.

Step 11: Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese melts beautifully with golden edges.

Step 12: Let It Rest

Remove from the oven and allow the shells to set for 5 minutes.

Step 13: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top. Serve hot and enjoy your mouthwatering creation!

Smart Tips For Cheesesteak Stuffed Shells

• Prevent Pasta Overcooking: Test shells for al dente texture by tasting a piece, ensuring they're firm but not hard, to maintain perfect texture during baking.
• Boost Meat Flavor: Add a splash of red wine or beef stock while browning meat to intensify the depth and richness of the filling.
• Control Cheese Melting: Layer cheeses in stages, starting with provolone as a base and topping with mozzarella for a perfectly golden, stretchy cheese crust.
• Manage Moisture Levels: If mixture seems dry, mix in a few tablespoons of marinara sauce directly into the meat filling for added juiciness.
• Enhance Herb Freshness: Chop parsley just before serving to maintain vibrant color and release maximum flavor when sprinkled on top of the finished dish.

Tasty Ideas To Change Cheesesteak Stuffed Shells

• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles, lentils, or black beans for a meat-free version that maintains protein content and hearty texture.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free jumbo pasta shells or substitute with zucchini boats to accommodate gluten-sensitive diners while keeping the core recipe intact.
• Spicy Mexican Remix: Add diced jalapeños, cumin, chili powder, and swap marinara for salsa to transform the dish into a zesty southwestern-inspired meal with bold flavors.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Skip pasta shells entirely and use hollowed bell peppers as natural vessels for the meat mixture, creating a keto-friendly and vegetable-rich adaptation.

Best Pairings For Cheesesteak Stuffed Shells

• Enhance Flavor Fusion: Pair rich, robust red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel to complement the hearty beef and cheese combination.
• Wine Lovers' Delight: Select medium-bodied Italian red wines such as Chianti or Sangiovese to match the pasta's Mediterranean-inspired profile.
• Perfect Side Kick: Serve a crisp Caesar salad with tangy dressing to balance the richness of the stuffed shells and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Bread Basket Bonus: Offer warm, crusty garlic bread or herbed focaccia to soak up the delicious meat sauce and cheese drippings.

How To Keep Cheesesteak Stuffed Shells Fresh

• Transfer cooled stuffed shells to an airtight container, seal tightly, and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the container sealed to maintain freshness and prevent odor absorption.
• Wrap individual shells or the entire dish in plastic wrap, then cover with aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Label the container with the date to track storage time.
• Thaw frozen shells in the refrigerator overnight. Preheat oven to 350°F, place shells in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm for 15-20 minutes. Remove foil during the last 5 minutes to crisp the cheese.

Cheesesteak Stuffed Shells FAQs

• What ingredients do I need to make these stuffed shells?

You’ll need jumbo pasta shells, ground beef or steak, onions, bell peppers, garlic, beef broth, provolone and mozzarella cheeses, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and optional marinara sauce.

• Can I use a different type of meat?

Absolutely! You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based meat alternatives for a different flavor profile.

• How do I prevent the pasta shells from tearing while stuffing?

Cook the shells just until al dente and handle them gently. Let them cool slightly before stuffing to make them more manageable and less likely to break.

Cheesesteak Stuffed Shells Recipe

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4.6 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Philly-inspired cheesesteak stuffed shells blend classic sandwich flavors with pasta perfection. Melted cheese, tender beef, and crisp peppers nestle inside pasta shells, creating a mouthwatering meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 lb ground beef or thinly sliced steak
• 1/2 lb provolone cheese
• 1/2 lb mozzarella cheese

Produce and Seasonings:

• 1 large onion
• 1 green bell pepper
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Pasta and Extras:

• 20 jumbo pasta shells
• 1/4 cup beef broth
• 2 tbsp worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 cup marinara sauce (optional)
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a large baking dish by lightly greasing it with cooking spray or olive oil.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat and sauté diced onions and bell peppers until they become soft and slightly caramelized, about 5-6 minutes.
3. Add minced garlic to the vegetable mixture and cook for an additional 30 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
4. Incorporate ground beef or thinly sliced steak into the skillet, breaking it down and cooking until completely browned and no pink remains, approximately 7-8 minutes.
5. Season the meat mixture with salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce, stirring to distribute the flavors evenly.
6. Pour beef broth into the skillet and simmer for 2-3 minutes to enhance the meat’s moisture and flavor profile.
7. Cook jumbo pasta shells in salted boiling water until al dente, typically 8-9 minutes, then drain and allow to cool slightly.
8. Stuff each pasta shell generously with the prepared meat and vegetable mixture, ensuring a full and even distribution.
9. Layer provolone and mozzarella cheeses over the stuffed shells, covering them completely.
10. Optional: Drizzle marinara sauce over the stuffed shells for additional moisture and flavor.
11. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly with slight golden edges.
12. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow the shells to set.
13. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving hot.

Notes

• Perfectly cook meat by ensuring no pink remains, which prevents potential foodborne illnesses and guarantees optimal flavor and texture.
• Select jumbo pasta shells carefully, checking for intact shapes to maximize stuffing capacity and prevent tearing during cooking.
• Customize protein options by substituting ground beef with shredded chicken or plant-based alternatives for dietary preferences like vegetarian or low-red-meat diets.
• Control moisture levels by draining excess liquid from meat mixture, preventing soggy shells and maintaining a rich, concentrated filling flavor.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 490
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 720 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg