- Cheddar Cheese: Grated cheddar cheese for a melty topping (secondary keyword)
- Parmesan Cheese: Finely grated parmesan cheese to add depth of flavor (secondary keyword)
- Butter: Unsalted butter for cooking pasta and adding richness (secondary keyword)
- Heavy Cream: To create the creamy sauce that ties everything together (keyword phrase)
- Garlic Powder: For added aroma and taste in the sauce (secondary keyword)
- Salt: To season the pasta water and enhance flavor (primary keyword)
- Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper for a delicious finish (secondary keyword)
- Fresh Herbs: Optional, such as chopped parsley or basil, to garnish (keyword phrase)
Steps
### Delicious Cheese-Stuffed Shells Pasta Recipe
Cheese-stuffed shells pasta is a creamy, rich, and comforting Italian dish that's perfect for any occasion. By following these detailed steps, you can create an exquisite meal that's sure to impress your family or friends. Here’s how to make it:
#### Ingredients
- 16 jumbo cheese stuffed shells
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage (optional)
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
#### Instructions
1. **Preheat the Oven**:
- Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. **Cook the Shells**:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the cheese stuffed shells and cook according to package instructions until tender but still firm. Typically, this takes about 8-10 minutes.
3. **Prepare the Sauce**:
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Sauté the chopped onion for about 5 minutes, or until translucent.
- Add minced garlic and cook for another minute, being careful not to burn it.
4. **Combine Ingredients**:
- If using ground beef or Italian sausage, add it to the skillet and break up into small pieces with a wooden spoon.
- Cook the meat until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the tomato sauce and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
5. **Assemble the Pasta**:
- Drain the cooked cheese stuffed shells and rinse them with cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Fill each shell generously with the meat-tomato mixture, ensuring that you have enough filling for all shells.
6. **Bake the Dish**:
- Place the filled shells in a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Cover the shells loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and continue to bake until the cheese on top is golden brown, about another 15-20 minutes.
7. **Garnish and Serve**:
- Let the pasta cool slightly before serving.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve hot with extra grated Parmesan cheese for an added burst of flavor.
#### SEO Tips
- Use relevant keywords like "cheese stuffed shells," "pasta recipe," and "Italian cuisine" to optimize your content for search engines.
- Include descriptive tags such as "meat sauce," "baking dish," and "olive oil" to enhance the readability and appeal of your post.
By following these steps, you can create a delightful cheese-stuffed shells pasta that’s both comforting and delicious. Enjoy this hearty Italian meal with family or friends!