Cheese Stuffed Pasta Shells with Meat Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, peeled and chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 1/2 green or red bell pepper, seeded, cored and chopped
• 1 can (24 ounces) marinara sauce
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 24 pieces jumbo pasta shells
• 24 ounces ricotta cheese
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 cups freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 egg, beaten

Instructions

1. In a large pot over medium heat, add ground beef and cook, stirring and breaking apart with the back of a spoon, until lightly browned and releases fat. With a slotted spoon, remove meat from pan and set aside. Discard grease except for about 1 tablespoon.
2. Add onions, garlic, and sweet peppers and cook until softened.
3. Add browned ground beef back to the pot.
4. Add marinara sauce and beef broth. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil.
5. Add sugar, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning..
6. Lower heat, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20 to 25 minutes or until meat is cooked.
7. Meanwhile, in a pot of boiling water, cook jumbo shells about 1 minute shy of package directions. Drain, layer on a sheet pan, and allow to cool.
8. In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and egg.
9. Using a small scoop or tablespoon, stuff pasta shells with cheese mixture.
10. In a greased baking dish, add half of the meat sauce. and spread to cover the bottom of the pan.
11. Arrange stuffed shells open side up in a single layer. Cover with remaining sauce and sprinkle top with the remaining 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese.
12. Cover with foil and bake in a 400 F oven for about 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly and cheese is melted. Serve hot.