• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Vikalinka logo

WHOLESOME RECIPES YOU CAN TRUST

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Starter
    • Bread
    • Side dishes
    • Asian recipes
    • Vegetarian
    • Drinks
    • Videos
  • Breakfast
    • Eggs
    • Pancakes, Muffins and More
    • Grains
    • Hot breakfast
  • Lunch
    • Salad
    • Soup
    • Sandwiches and more
  • Dinner
    • Chicken
      • Chicken breasts
      • Chicken thighs and drumsticks
      • Whole chicken
    • Beef
    • Pasta
    • Casseroles
    • Slow Cooker and Instant Pot
    • Pork
    • Fish and Seafood
    • Quick and Easy
    • Stew
  • Dessert
    • Cake
    • Pies
    • Cookies
    • Pastry
  • Collections
    • Asian Recipe Collection
    • Russian Recipe Collection
    • Italian Recipe Collection
    • Christmas Recipe Collection
    • Thanksgiving Recipe Collection
    • Easter Recipe Collection
  • About
    • Travel
    • Privacy policy
    • Contact Me
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Dessert
  • Collections
  • Videos
  • Travel
  • About
ร—
Home ยป Recipes ยป Dinner ยป Pasta

March 11, 2020

Stuffed Shells with Pesto and Tomato Beef Sauce

Published March 11, 2020 | Julia Frey (Vikalinka)

Jump to Recipe

These giant pasta shells stuffed with flavourful tomato pesto beef sauce are a one pot winner! No one will be able to resist this cozy pasta dish topped with melted mozzarella!

Serve this pasta bake with my Prosciutto Caprese Parcels as starters and Roasted Parmesan Broccoli for a delicious Italian inspired dinner!

beef stuffed giant pasta shells topped with melted closeup

This pasta recipe is a one pot wonder, I tell ya! I make a lot of pasta dishes. 2-3 times a week. But this one is special. My kids were the most enthusiastic eaters and my husband declared it to be “most special pasta” ever.

Whoa! I have no idea what I did right and but I am guessing using giant pasta shells and stuffing them with a rich meat sauce flavoured with basil pesto did the trick. My daughter said it was like eating Italian tacos! 

The meat sauce I used to stuff the shells might seem like a standard recipe but it has a secret ingredient that makes all the difference. Basil Pesto. 

Who would have thought that simple store bought pesto could elevate a regular pasta bake to something AMAZING!

pasta bake image from above

What pasta can I use for stuffing?

You are looking for giant pasta shells, sometimes called jumbo in the US or conchiglioni in Italian. They are quite a bit thicker as well, so absolutely perfect for holding your meat sauce without tearing. 

If you can’t find them, regular shells will also work but instead of stuffing them simply mix them with the sauce and top with mozzarella cheese. They will still taste delicious and will look like this. 

Shells smothered in pesto, meat sauce and mozzarella and then quickly baked for a golden top and gooey middle!

Stuffed pasta shells with ground beef

The premise for this recipe is not new. All we are doing is combining pasta with tomato beef sauce and bake it topped with mozzarella. Comfort food at its best.

However, the novelty of stuffed pasta plus the deliciousness of the tomato and ground beef sauce, that is made with the inclusion of basil pesto, begs this recipe to be made ASAP!

If you are hesitant about combining tomato sauce and basil pesto I understand. I was too…after all it’s one or another, right? Fortunately I still decided to give it a go.

What I realised was that pesto infused the meat sauce with gorgeous basil flavour while the cheese and pine nuts gave it a more creamy and luscious texture. That is why this pasta bake is NOT ordinary!

beef stuffed pasta shells process images

You know what else is great about this pasta dish? It’s delicious and sophisticated enough for a dinner party. Just throw in some nice bread, olives, any antipasti you love, and a simple Caprese salad and your guests will be endlessly impressed.

I am not exaggerating in the least, they will feel like they’ve attended a nice Italian restaurant. Wouldn’t you if you were served a bowl of this?

rectangular pan with baked pasta, salad bowl and pasta bowl

What is your favourite pasta dish? Let me know in comments! 

This recipe was originally published 12/2014. Updated with a new recipe, photos and text and republished in 03/2020

beef stuffed giant pasta shells topped with melted closeup

Stuffed Pasta Shells with Tomato and Pesto Meat Sauce

Julia Frey of Vikalinka
These giant pasta shells stuffed with flavourful tomato pesto beef sauce are a one pot winner! No one will be able to resist this cozy pasta dish topped with melted mozzarella!
5 from 11 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins
Course Main
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 694 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • ยฝ onion chopped
  • 1 lbs ground beef extra-lean
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 500g/2cups tomato passata/crushed tomatoes
  • 1 ยฝ tsp salt
  • 3 tbsp basil pesto
  • ยฝ lbs giant pasta shells
  • 100g/1 cup mozzarella grated

Instructions
 

  • Heat the oven to 400F/200C. Cook chopped onion in olive oil over low heat for 5-7 minutes until soft but not coloured. Add ground beef and cook, stirring it the whole until no longer pink.
  • Add dried oregano, salt, tomato passata/crushed tomatoes and basil pesto. Bring to a boil and then turn the heat down and simmer for 20 minutes, stir one in a while to avoid burning. Take it off the heat and cool slightly.
  • While the sauce is simmering, cook the shells in a large pot according to package instructions. It's important to cook pasta 1-2 minutes less than package directions advise as it will be further cooked in the oven.
  • Drain pasta and rinse it with cold water, this will prevent pasta shells sticking to each other. Cool until room temperature.
  • To a 9X13 inch rectangular dish add 1 cup of the sauce, so it will cover the bottom of the pan. Then arrange the shells in rows in a single layer. Then fill the shells with the beef sauce, approximately two teaspoons per shell. (I was able to fit 25 shells in my pan). If there is any sauce leftover, spoon it over the pasta. Then sprinkle with grated mozzarella cheese, cover with tin foil and bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Then uncover and cook for 15 minutes longer until the cheese is golden and pasta is hot and bubbly.

Nutrition

Calories: 694kcalCarbohydrates: 54gProtein: 35gFat: 37gSaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 101mgSodium: 1379mgPotassium: 838mgFiber: 5gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 665IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 226mgIron: 5mg
Keyword stuffed pasta shells, stuffed pasta shells with ground beef
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

More Pasta

  • Pan with the Mediterranean pasta with zucchini
    Mediterranean Pasta with Zucchini
  • top down view of two bowls of pasta with pancetta and peas with water glass
    Creamy Pasta with Pancetta and Peas (VIDEO)
  • Bowl of Rustic Italian Beef Ragu with a piece of chunky bread and a fork
    Slow Cooker Italian Beef Ragu
  • Close up of pasta with smoked salmon
    Pasta with Smoked Salmon
87736 shares

About Julia Frey (Vikalinka)

Julia Frey is a London based recipe developer and photographer. Julia founded Vikalinka in 2012 with the main mission to provide her readers with delicious and accessible everyday recipes, which could be enjoyed by everyone.
read more..

Related Posts

  • top down view of beef and kidney bean chilli con carne in orange pot

    Crowd Pleasing Chili Recipe

  • Boneless Pork Chops with apples and cream sauce

    Boneless Pork Chops with Apples and Cider

  • Top down view of spoon scooping meatballs in Marsala sauce from a pan

    Meatballs with Marsala Cream Sauce

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Michelle says

    at

    I have made the original recipe a bunch and we love it. This update threw me. Are there any differences essentially besides the larger pasta shells? I want to do it like I always do, and dont recall. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Julia Frey says

      at

      Hi Michelle, the same sauce, different size pasta shells. I actually wrote about it in the post.
      “If you canโ€™t find giant shells, regular shells will also work but instead of stuffing them, simply mix them with the sauce and top with mozzarella cheese. They will still taste delicious and will look like this.” And I attached the old photo as illustration. I hope this clears up your question.
      Best
      Julia

      Reply
  2. Francine Vincent says

    at

    When you write Passata/ tomatoes, do you use one of them or both half and half?

    Reply
    • vikalinka says

      at

      I write Passata/crushed tomatoes as options for two different audiences since different products are available in different countries. They are similar things for the UK and US audiences. I use passata since I live in the UK,

      Reply
  3. Liz says

    at

    5 stars
    I am making this tonight, and canโ€™t wait! I adore your website, thanks!

    Reply
    • vikalinka says

      at

      I am so happy to hear it, Liz! This dish is honestly our family’s staple!

      Reply
  4. Lina says

    at

    5 stars
    This was really good! Even though I forgot the basil and Parmesan. Good job ๐Ÿ‘

    Reply
    • vikalinka says

      at

      I am so pleased to hear it, Lina! It’s such a feel good dinner. Simple and comforting.

      Reply
  5. Isabella says

    at

    5 stars
    This recipe is so good! My whole family loves it.

    Reply
  6. Biba says

    at

    Is it red or green pesto you use?

    Reply
    • vikalinka says

      at

      Green pesto.

      Reply
  7. maria says

    at

    looks good!! I was wondering if you could prep ahead of time do everything in the morning then bake it later for dinner?

    Reply
    • vikalinka says

      at

      Thanks, Maria. I am sure you can! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  8. Susan says

    at

    this looks so good and I am going to make it. What are pesto shells?

    Reply
    • vikalinka says

      at

      That was a typo, it was supposed to be pasta shells, Susan. I’ve corrected it, thank you for noticing! Pesto shells would’ve been hard to find! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  9. Brigitte Staudt says

    at

    5 stars
    I made this today for lunch–EXCELLENT!! Will definitely make again. Simple ingredients, usually on hand–finished off the little pesto jar I had in the refrigerator. Your photographs are beautiful, and you never disappoint with the final product!! Thank you so much! Always looking forward to what you post.

    Reply
    • vikalinka says

      at

      Brigitte, thank you so much for your sweet comment. You just made my day! Merry Christmas to you and your family.

      Reply
  10. Tammy Renea says

    at

    Your pictures are just beautiful! Love the recipe.

    Reply
    • vikalinka says

      at

      Thank you, Tammy!

      Reply
  11. Katya @ Little Broken says

    at

    I love simple pasta dishes like these! Makes a quick dinner, especially during a weeknight and much loved with little peeps ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  12. Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says

    at

    5 stars
    Love the idea of adding pesto to pasta, and especially love another quick weeknight meal idea!

    Reply
  13. Laura (Tutti Dolci) says

    at

    5 stars
    Yes please to a one pot wonder, these shells look mouth watering!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Baked Shells with Pesto, Mozzarella and Meat Sauce | Maps-of-Recipes says:
    at

    […] See on: vikalinka.com […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Julia from Vikalinka

Julia Frey is a London based recipe developer and photographer. Julia founded Vikalinka in 2012 with the main mission to provide her readers with delicious and accessible everyday recipes, which could be enjoyed by everyone.

More about me โ†’


  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • YouTube

Popular

  • mushroom sauce in black pan
    Creamy Mushroom Marsala Sauce
  • Beef Stroganoff with mushrooms
    Best Beef Stroganoff (VIDEO)
  • Chicken breasts in mushroom sauce
    Chicken with Garlic Mushroom Sauce (VIDEO)
  • Close up if a plate of pasta cream sauce with sprinkled parsley
    Pasta Cream Sauce (VIDEO)

Footer

As Featured On…

as featured on

Footer

โ†‘ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact

Copyright ยฉ 2023 Vikalinka