If you're looking for an easy, delicious twist from traditional tacos on Taco Tuesday, you've got to try this taco stuffed shells recipe! It's so simple and always a family favorite.
Next time try the Taco Spaghetti Recipe - it's a delicious dinner!
Jump to:
You'll love the Taco Stuffed Shells Recipe
There are several bonuses with this recipe. For us? We love all the taco flavors merged with the cheesy pasta. It's quick and easy to make and even your pickiest of eaters in your house will love this meal!
It's a fusion of my two favorite cuisines, Italian food and Mexican food - yum!
Ingredients
Please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for the exact measurements.
- Jumbo shell pasta or manicotti shells work great as well.
- Ground beef, ground chicken or ground turkey - use your favorite!
- I like using my homemade taco seasoning, but grab a packet of seasoning if that's easier for you.
- Salsa - You can use salsa verde, Rotel diced tomatoes, or enchilada sauce instead of salsa for a more tangy flavor.
- Cream cheese, and loads of shredded cheese. Make these shells extra cheesy by topping them with homemade queso before baking.
You can also add black beans or corn to the ground beef to stretch these shells even more. If you want to boost the vegetables in this casserole, you can add diced bell peppers, zucchini or onions to the ground beef while you are browning it.
Taco Stuffed Shells with Cream Cheese
Equipment
- 9x13 casserole dish
Ingredients
- 12 ounces jumbo pasta shells
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- ⅓ cup water
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 24 ounces jarred salsa I use Herrdez salsa.
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Optional toppings: sour cream, diced tomatoes, sssliced black olives and taco sauce.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare baking dish by spraying with non stick cooking spray.
- Cook the pasta shells in a pot according to the directions to al dente, drain well.
- Brown ground beef, drain fat.
- Add the taco seasoning and water, cook as per package instructions. Add cream cheese mix until the cheese is melted and combined.
- Scoop the taco meat into the jumbo pasta shells. Place in casserole dish and top with salsa and shredded cheese.
- Cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 20 minutes until hot and bubbly.
- Garnish with minced cilantro, green onions and diced tomatoes.
Notes
Storage
Allow this dish to cool completely before placing in an airtight container. The shells will last for 3 days in the refrigerator. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and place aluminum foil over top, these shells can be frozen up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking. To reheat, place in the oven at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until completely heated through. Make sure that you remove the plastic wrap before baking.Love this recipe? Join the free membership group!
Nutrition
Instructions
This is a photo overview of the instructions. For the complete written directions, check the recipe card.
FAQ's
It is important to not overcook the pasta shells, overcooked pasta shells will break.
These shells can be made ahead of time and refrigerated and then baked at dinner time. Bonus? This meal freezes GREAT!!
Top Tip
Be sure that you cook the pasta shells to al dente, overcooking them will make them easier to break, and harder to stuff.
- Be sure that you cook these shells to al dente, overcooking them will make them easier to break, and harder to stuff.
- Use freshly shredded cheese rather than pre-shredded. It melts better.
More great TexMex Casserole recipes
- Want to make super yummy tacos? Start with this recipe for ground beef taco meat or use it to make this Taco Salad Casserole, yum!!
- This recipe for Burrito Casserole is so simple and always a hit!
- Watching your carbs but still want a delicious meal that the entire family will enjoy? Give this Low Carb Enchilada Casserole a try!
Serve with
- Nothing goes better with taco night than tortilla chips and dip! This Bean and Cheese Dip recipe will disappear quickly.
- Rice and beans are the perfect side dish for Mexican-inspired meals. Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice and these yummy black beans are perfect! Or if you'd prefer, serve refried beans. Getting everyone to the dinner table will be a snap with this easy dinner recipe!
- There is no better way to end a flavorful meal than with a creamy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cheesecake.
Easy, cheesy taco fusion right here! Did you enjoy this casserole? I knew you would!! Please leave a comment below. I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Lois says
This looks wonderful. Will be trying it very soon. Thank you for another great recipe.