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Salsa Baked Pasta Shells with Creamy Cheesy Meat Sauce – Looking for a cheap and easy dinner recipe? This baked shells casserole with meat sauce is the best weeknight meal for the whole family! Jarred salsa sauce gives you a head start on this kid-friendly dinner, and the flavor combination with cheese is addictive. Even the pickiest eaters will love this baked pasta recipe. Enjoy!
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Ingredients list for the Cheesy Baked Pasta with Creamy Meat Sauce
- 3 – 4 cups uncooked pasta shells
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 1 (12 oz – 300g) jar of salsa
- 8oz (225g) cream cheese (cubed)
- 1/2 cup (125ml) beef stock
- 1 or 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated or shredded parmesan
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Directions
1. To make the baked pasta shells: Cook the pasta shells al dente according to the package directions; drain and set aside.
2. Preheat your oven to 350ºF (180ºC) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
3. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with black pepper over medium heat until brown.
4. Remove the excess grease from the cooked meat and then stir in the salsa and cream cheese. Simmer for a few minutes until the sauce is well combined, adding beef stock progressively.
5. Gently toss your cooked pasta in with the meat sauce mixture and then pour it into your casserole dish. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and parmesan. You can add a sprinkle of Italian seasoning if you like.
6. Bake uncovered in the center rack of your oven for about 20 minutes. If you like to crisp up the top of the casserole, switch your oven to broil and continue baking for an additional 2-3 minutes or until the cheese starts to brown. Sprinkle the salsa baked pasta shells with creamy, cheesy meat sauce with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Tips for the baked pasta shells recipe
This baked pasta casserole will feed quite a large group, but leftovers can be reheated easily and are as good for lunch or dinner the next day. Here are a couple of tips to make your baked pasta shells casserole even better.
Can I use another pasta shape instead of pasta shells?
You can use any type of pasta, but we advise you to opt for a pasta shape that holds well the sauce. Rotini or penne would make great choices.
What sauce can I substitute for the baked pasta casserole?
A mild or spicy salsa sauce is delicious in his baked pasta recipe, but you can make it more Italian-style using marinara sauce, or any other tomato sauce you like.
How to reheat the baked pasta shells with meat sauce?
Preheat your oven to 300ºF (140ºC) and reheat our leftovers covered with foil for 15 or 20 minutes. A quick reheat uncovered in the microwave is also an option.
More casserole recipes you might like
- Easy Tomato Spinach Ravioli Bake
- Cheesy Chicken Pasta Casserole with Spinach and Bacon
- Spinach Chicken Casserole with Cream Cheese and Mozzarella
- Cheesy Meatballs Casserole {Low Carb}
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Leave a Reply
Johnny
2023-02-01 22:34:14
A real keeper! My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed this recipe. The only thing I did different was to add 2 1/2 cups of fresh spinach at the end of Step #4. When I re-heat the leftovers, how can I make the servings moist?
