BEEFY STUFFED SHELLS RECIPE - (4.4/5)

Beefy Stuffed Shells Recipe - (4.4/5) image

Provided by á-25010

Number Of Ingredients 12

12 ounces 95 percent lean ground beef
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 cups chopped fresh mushrooms (4 ounces)
1 cup chopped onion (1 large)
1/2 cup shredded carrot (1 medium)
1/4 cup chopped celery
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, crushed
1 14 1/2 - ounce can no-salt-added diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano, undrained
1 cup shredded reduced-fat Italian blend cheese (2 ounces)
1 medium tomato, chopped
1 tablespoon snipped fresh basil (optional)

Steps:

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat a 2-quart square baking dish with nonstick cooking spray; set aside. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Rinse with cold water; drain again. Set aside. 2.Meanwhile, in a medium skillet cook ground beef until brown, using a wooden spoon to break up meat as it cooks. Drain off fat. Set meat aside. 3.In a large nonstick skillet heat oil over medium heat. Add mushrooms, onion, carrot, celery, garlic, and Italian seasoning; cook for 6 to 8 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently. Add diced tomatoes and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook and stir for 2 minutes more. Remove from heat; cool slightly. 4.Spoon the tomato mixture into a blender or food processor; cover and blend or process until nearly smooth. Set aside 3/4 cup of the pureed tomato mixture. Return the remaining pureed tomato mixture to the skillet. Stir cooked meat into tomato mixture in skillet. Spoon a rounded tablespoon of the meat mixture into each pasta shell. 5.Arrange filled pasta shells in prepared baking dish. Spoon the reserved 3/4 cup pureed tomato mixture over the shells. 6.Cover; bake for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese and fresh tomato. Bake about 5 minutes more or until heated through and cheese is melted. If desired, sprinkle with basil.