Looking for an easy and budget-friendly dinner recipe? These Italian stuffed pasta shells are so delicious. This family recipe is always a hit and is a great solution for weeknight meals. It’s filling and so budget-friendly, aside from being so yummy.

● 12 oz package jumbo shells ● 1 lb ground beef (or plant-based ground “beef”) ● 4 oz mushrooms ● 16 oz cottage cheese ● 16 oz mozzarella cheese ● 48 oz pasta sauce ● 1 tbsp italian seasonings ● 1 tsp garlic powder ● Salt and pepper to your taste

Ingredients 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F or 177 C. Add ground beef to a medium skillet, and sprinkle with some of the Italian seasoning and garlic, then add salt and pepper. Brown the ground beef over medium heat, and drain grease.

While the meat is cooking, fill a large stock pot halfway with water, then add the pasta shells. Boil on high until pasta is al dente.

While the meat and pasta are cooking, chop the mushrooms.

Add cottage cheese, 12 oz of the mozzarella cheese, mushrooms, the rest of the Italian seasoning and garlic, along with a dash of salt and pepper to a large bowl. Once the ground beef is done, add that, along with 16 oz of the pasta sauce. Stir well.

Cover the bottom of a large casserole dish with a thin layer of pasta sauce. Using a small spoon, fill the pasta shells, and set them gently into the baking dish, side by side.

Pour pasta sauce over the shells, as well as the remainder of the mozzarella cheese. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Serve hot and enjoy!

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