Mexican Stuffed shells are filled with seasoned taco flavored beef and topped with cheese! These are great if you're looking for something different for Taco Tuesday night.
I was very tired today and really wanted to come home and take a nap. Instead, I ended up cooking and made three things. A frozen key lime pie, banana bread muffins, and this dish for Mexican stuffed shells.
I am home alone this weekend and decided to make these Mexican stuffed shells since there was cheese on top and cream cheese in the middle. Boy let me tell you something, these Mexican Shells did not disappoint.
I used lean ground beef and low-fat cream cheese to keep these a tad on the lighter side. For garnish used some tomatoes and parsley. One of the best pasta dishes I've made in a long time. Will definitely make this dish again.
Ingredients Needed
- Ground beef (93% lean) - Is considered better than higher fat options for several reasons. First, it has less saturated fat, which can contribute to heart disease and other health issues. Additionally, it tends to have fewer calories per serving, making it a good option for those watching their weight. The 96% lean ground beef from Aldi is my favorite.
- Yellow onion, diced
- Taco seasoning - Is a blend of spices used to flavor ground beef or other meats for use in tacos. It typically includes a combination of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and sometimes salt and pepper. It can be purchased pre-mixed, or made at home using individual spices. I usually buy the Lower Sodium Taco Seasoning packets such as Mrs Dash.
- Fat free cream cheese - I like to use Reduced-Fat Cheese because it has a lower calorie count and less saturated fat than regular cheese, but it may also have a different taste and texture. It also helps with keeping the calorie count pretty low for this recipe.
- Pasta shells - jumbo sized
- Enchilada sauce - use your favorite brand, I like Trader Joes or Old El Paso.
- Salsa - Use your favorite jarred or prepared salsa
- Reduced fat colby jack cheese - I like to use Reduced-Fat Cheese because it has a lower calorie count and less saturated fat than regular cheese, but it may also have a different taste and texture. It also helps with keeping the calorie count pretty low for this recipe.
- See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How to Make Stuffed Shells
Bring a large pot of water to boil. Boil your pasta shells for about 10 minutes until cooked al dente. Rinse shells when done cooking.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Step 2: Meanwhile, cook up your ground beef and onions over medium-high heat until cooked thoroughly. Drain the excess grease from the pan. Add in taco seasoning and stir to mix. Add in cream cheese and cook over medium heat until cheese is mixed in and melty throughout. Set aside.
Step 3: Combine your enchilada sauce and salsa in a small bowl. Pour about half of your enchilada sauce salsa mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 pan and spread around.
Step 4: Fill each jumbo shell with a heaping 1 TBS of meat mixture and place into pan with sauce. Repeat until all shells or meat mixture is gone. Pour the remaining enchilada sauce salsa mixture over the tops of the shells. Top with cheese. Bake for 30 minutes.
Wrap pan in aluminum foil.
Return to oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Other Recipes To Try
If you tried this Mexican Stuffed Shells orany other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you! Follow along on Tiktok @jennarecipediaries
Recipe adapted from Like Mother Like Daughter
PrintMexican Stuffed Shells
- Prep Time: 15min
- Cook Time: 30min
- Total Time: 45min
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: Easy
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
Stuffed pasta shells filled with seasoned taco flavored beef and topped with cheese! These are great if you're looking for something different for Taco Tuesday night.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (93% lean)
- ½ cup yellow onion, diced
- 2 TBS taco seasoning
- 4 oz fat free cream cheese
- 24 jumbo pasta shells
- 10 oz enchilada sauce
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 cup reduced fat colby jack cheese
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to boil.
- Boil your pasta shells for about 10 minutes until cooked al dente. Rinse shells when done cooking.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Meanwhile, cook up your ground beef and onions over medium high heat until cooked thoroughly.
- Drain the excess grease from the pan.
- Add in taco seasoning and stir to mix.
- Add in cream cheese and cook over medium heat until cheese is mixed in and melty throughout. Set aside.
- Combine your enchilada sauce and salsa in a small bowl.
- Pour about half of your enchilada sauce salsa mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 pan and spread around.
- Fill each jumbo shell with a heaping 1 TBS of meat mixture and place into pan with sauce.
- Repeat until all shells or meat mixture is gone.
- Pour the remaining enchilada sauce salsa mixture over the tops of the shells.
- Wrap pan in aluminum foil.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove foil and top with cheeses.
- Return to oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
WW Points: 9 Click here to see in recipe builder (will have to log in)Â
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 shells
- Calories: 323
- Sugar: 3.5
- Fat: 11.21g
- Saturated Fat: 4.8
- Carbohydrates: 32.27g
- Fiber: 2.4g
- Protein: 23.36g
Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen says
What a fun spin on stuffed shells! These look divine!
Michele says
we had this tonight!! It was a hit, My 2 kids loved it (which they arent picky anyways they will eat anything they are 2 and 3) and my husband LOVED it. Mine ended up making 21, and we ate ALL of them! it was SOOO easy to make (I'm not very experienced in cooking at all) so if I can make it anyone can!! Cost about 15-18 dollars to make this meal. depending on if u get the "Brand" name cheeses (was the most expensive things about this meal)
Jenna says
Nope!
Michele Roden says
Do you add water to the taco seasoning. or no ?
Jenna says
3
Brittni says
How many shells do you get for the 8 points plus
Jenna says
Glad your family liked it!
Lori says
Just a quick note to let you know that I made your recipe today. It was a big hit with my family!
jgisvold says
This recipe was delicious! So glad I found it on your website and thanks for sharing it. 🙂
Aimee @ Like mother like daughter says
Mmm! It looks like it turned out deliciously! Now I wish I was eating this again right now!