Merry Marry Three-Cheese Stuffed Shells

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-07 · Updated 2026-04-07

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

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 recipe, 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.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 680 cal/serving

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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

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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.