Merry Marry Three-Cheese Stuffed Shells
A festive pasta dish featuring shells stuffed with a harmonious blend of three cheeses, baked until golden and bubbly, celebrating the unity of 'Mary, Merry, and Marry.'. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 50 minutes pairs jumbo pasta shells, ground beef, ricotta cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 680 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 jumbo pasta shells
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup, finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/4 cup milk
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook 12 jumbo pasta shells in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente; drain and set aside. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, add 1/2 cup finely chopped onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, and cook for 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb ground beef to skillet, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned (5-7 minutes). Stir in 1/2 cup tomato sauce and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, then simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Step 3: In a bowl, mix 1/2 cup ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella, 1/4 cup grated parmesan, and 1/4 cup milk; season with salt and pepper to taste. Spoon filling into cooked pasta shells, arrange in a baking dish, pour remaining sauce over shells, cover with foil, and bake for 25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Merry Marry Three-Cheese Stuffed Shells take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (25 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Merry Marry Three-Cheese Stuffed Shells?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep jumbo pasta shells from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Merry Marry Three-Cheese Stuffed Shells?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Merry Marry Three-Cheese Stuffed Shells for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Merry Marry Three-Cheese Stuffed Shells?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made this for my family and everyone asked for the recipe.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
