Baked Stuffed Pasta with Beef Marinara by Feelgoodfoodie

Ingredients

• 20 large pasta shells, cooked al dente
• 20 small cherry tomatoes
• 20 small fresh mozzarella balls (ciliegine)
• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook pasta shells according to package directions until al dente, then drain and let cool slightly.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds, then add ground beef and cook 6–8 minutes, breaking it up, until browned. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Stir marinara sauce and water into the beef, simmer 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened, then remove from heat.
4. Stuff each pasta shell with one cherry tomato and one mozzarella ball, pressing them snugly inside.
5. Spread a thin layer of the beef marinara on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange stuffed shells in a single layer on top.
6. Spoon remaining beef marinara over the shells, scatter fresh basil over the top, then cover tightly with foil.
7. Bake covered for 40 minutes, then remove foil, sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the top, and bake uncovered an additional 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and melted.
8. Let rest 5 minutes before serving, garnished with extra fresh basil.