Mexican Stuffed Shells Recipe: A Delicious Twist on a Classic Dish

Are you tired of the same old pasta dishes? Do you want to add some Mexican flair to your dinner routine? Look no further than this delicious and easy-to-make Mexican stuffed shells recipe! Combining the comfort of classic Italian stuffed shells with the bold flavors of Mexican cuisine, this recipe is sure to please everyone at the table. Follow these simple steps and enjoy a meal that is both satisfying and unique.

Ingredients

To make Mexican stuffed shells, you will need the following ingredients:

• 1 box jumbo pasta shells
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes and green chilies, drained
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

For the sauce:

• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

Follow these simple steps to make Mexican stuffed shells:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. Cook the pasta shells according to the package directions, then rinse them under cold water and set them aside.
3. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks.
4. Add the onion, green bell pepper, and garlic to the skillet and cook until the vegetables are tender.
5. Stir in the black beans, diced tomatoes and green chilies, chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Cook for a few more minutes until everything is well combined.
6. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the cheddar cheese and chopped cilantro.
7. Spread a thin layer of the sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
8. Stuff each pasta shell with the beef and bean mixture, then place them in the baking dish.
9. Pour the remaining sauce over the stuffed shells.
10. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes.
11. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
12. Garnish with additional cilantro and serve hot.

Tips

• If you want to make this recipe vegetarian, simply omit the ground beef and use extra black beans or another protein of your choice.
• You can customize the level of spiciness by adjusting the amount of chili powder and diced tomatoes and green chilies.
• This recipe can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Simply assemble the stuffed shells and sauce in the baking dish, cover with foil, and store in the refrigerator or freezer. When ready to cook, bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time if necessary.

Conclusion

Mexican stuffed shells are a delicious and easy-to-make twist on a classic Italian dish. By combining the bold flavors of Mexican cuisine with the comfort of stuffed shells, you can create a meal that is both satisfying and unique. Whether you’re cooking for your family or entertaining guests, this recipe is sure to please. So why not give it a try tonight and see how delicious Mexican stuffed shells can be?