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Close-up of golden, cheesy stuffed shells arranged neatly in a baking dish.

Taco Stuffed Shells

Tender jumbo pasta shells filled with seasoned ground beef, cream cheese, and salsa, topped with shredded taco cheese, and baked until hot and bubbly for an easy, family-friendly dinner.
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Course: Main dish
Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex
Keyword: Taco Stuffed Shells
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 5

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces jumbo shell pasta
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 5 ounces cream cheese
  • 1 cup salsa
  • ¼ cup chopped green onions
  • 1 cup shredded taco-blend cheese

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the jumbo shell pasta until al dente according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to prevent sticking. Set aside.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat.
  • Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for approximately 30 seconds, until fragrant.
  • Stir in the taco seasoning, cream cheese, and salsa. Cook, stirring frequently, until the cream cheese is completely melted and the mixture is well combined. Remove from heat and allow the filling to cool slightly.
  • Spoon the beef mixture into the cooked pasta shells and arrange them evenly in the prepared baking dish.
  • Sprinkle the stuffed shells evenly with the shredded taco-blend cheese.
  • Bake uncovered for 15–20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the filling is heated through.
  • Remove from the oven, garnish with chopped green onions, and serve immediately.

Notes

To make this recipe gluten free, substitute the jumbo shell pasta with a certified gluten-free jumbo shell or gluten-free pasta suitable for stuffing. Additionally, ensure the taco seasoning and salsa are labeled gluten free, as some packaged varieties may contain wheat-based additives.