Description
Delight in the fusion of Mexican and Italian flavors with Taco Stuffed Shells topped with creamy queso! This dish combines seasoned ground beef, taco spices, stuffed into pasta shells, baked to perfection, and topped with a cheesy queso sauce.
Ingredients
– For the Taco Seasoning: – 1 tbsp chili powder – 1 tsp ground cumin – 1 tsp paprika – 1/2 tsp onion powder – 1/2 tsp garlic powder – 1/4 tsp dried oregano – Salt and pepper, to taste – For the Stuffed Shells: – 20 jumbo pasta shells, cooked according to package instructions – 1 lb ground beef – 1/2 cup diced onion – 1/2 cup diced bell pepper (any color) – 1 cup salsa – 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend – For the Queso Sauce: – 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese – 1/2 cup milk – 1/4 cup diced tomatoes with green chilies (canned) – 1/4 tsp garlic powder – Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. 2. Cook jumbo pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside. 3. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Drain excess fat. 4. Add diced onion and bell pepper; cook until vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes. 5. Stir in taco seasoning (chili powder, cumin, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper) and salsa. Cook for another 2-3 minutes. 6. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Stir in 1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend. 7. Stuff each pasta shell with the taco meat mixture and place in prepared baking dish. 8. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine shredded cheddar cheese, milk, diced tomatoes with green chilies, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until cheese melts and sauce is smooth. 9. Pour queso sauce evenly over stuffed shells. 10. Cover with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes until heated through and cheese is bubbly. 11. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
Serve with sour cream, guacamole, salsa, or a green salad for a complete meal. You can also swap ground beef with ground turkey for a lighter option.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Mexican-Italian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: about 3-4 stuffed shells
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: taco stuffed shells, queso pasta, Mexican Italian fusion, cheesy stuffed shells