Baked Shells with Pesto, Mozzarella, and Meat Sauce

Baked Shells with Pesto, Mozzarella, and Meat Sauce

Baked Shells with Pesto, Mozzarella, and Savory Meat Sauce

Ingredients:

1 pound large pasta shells
2 cups meat sauce (store-bought or homemade)
1 cup pesto sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound ground beef
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Cook pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic, sautéing until fragrant and softened, about 3-4 minutes.
Add ground beef to the skillet, cooking until browned and crumbled. Drain any excess fat.
Stir in meat sauce and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Stuff each cooked pasta shell with a spoonful of pesto sauce and place them in the baking dish.
Pour the remaining meat sauce over the stuffed shells.
Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 50 minutes

Kcal: 450 kcal | Servings: 6 servings