My family loved these easy taco stuffed shells. Sometimes you want the flavor of tacos with the ease of a casserole. This recipe combines classic taco ingredients with jumbo pasta shells for a fun and satisfying twist. Featuring ground beef, cheese, and salsa, this dish is easily customizable with your favorite toppings.
This is an easy, customizable weeknight dinner! Craving Mexican flavors but short on time? These stuffed taco shells deliver big Tex-Mex taste in under an hour. A couple other family favorites taco flavored meals include these crock pot shredded chicken tacos and these easy nacho beef tacos.
Table of contents
Why I love this recipe
- Taco Twist on a Classic: I love all things taco, and this recipe delivers that flavor in a fun and unique way. It's an easy twist on a classic comfort food.
- Budget-Friendly Feast: As a budget-conscious cook, this recipe is a winner. The simple ingredients are affordable, and the dish stretches to feed a crowd without breaking the bank. It's a delicious and economical option for any night of the week.
- Kid-Approved: Mealtime with kids can be a challenge, but these taco shells are a guaranteed hit. The vibrant colors, the yummy cheese, and familiar taco flavors are an instant win for even the pickiest eaters. It's a stress-free way to ensure everyone enjoys a satisfying meal.
- Flavor Explosion: While simple, this recipe packs a punch of flavor. The seasoned ground beef, melty cheese, and zesty salsa create a delicious symphony of textures and tastes.
- Weeknight Hero: Let's face it, weeknights are hectic. This recipe for stuffed taco shells comes to the rescue! The simple ingredients and minimal prep work make it a lifesaver on busy days. Dinner is ready in under an hour!!
Flavorful Ingredients
Large pasta shells
28 oz can of plain tomato sauce (not spaghetti or any Italian sauce)
12 oz jar of salsa
1 ½ lbs ground beef, cooked
1 package taco seasoning
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (or your favorite combination with mozzarella in it - I used ½ mozzarella and ½ shredded cheese in this recipe)
Optional Toppings after cooking - chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, avocado, guacamole, black olives, chopped cilantro. Think of this casserole as a base for other taco/nacho favorite ingredients.
Easy Instructions
Preheat oven to 350.
Step 1
Cook ground beef in a large frying pan and add about ½ cup of water and taco seasoning. Simmer until most of the water is gone. Set aside and let cool a bit.
Step 2
Boil jumbo shells about 2 minutes less than cooking instructions on the package. You want the shells to be slightly undercooked since they will finish cooking in the casserole.
Drain and rinse shells with cold water.
Step 3
Spray 9 x 13 casserole dish with nonstick spray.
Pour enough tomato sauce to just cover the bottom of the casserole dish. Then add a thin layer of salsa.
Step 4
Take a shell and stuff it with the ground beef/taco spice mixture. I just use a spoon. I find these shells much easier to fill than the pasta tubes!
Add some cheese on top of the ground beef mixture in each shell. Reserve some cheese to sprinkle on top at the end.
Step 5
Place the shells into the casserole dish
Once all shells are assembled and in a casserole dish, drizzle on the balance of tomato sauce and salsa.
Sprinkle the leftover cheese on top.
Sprinkle on any remaining cheese. That's the fun part!
Step 6
Cover with foil and bake in the oven for about 25 minutes.
Remove foil and finish baking for another 5 minutes.
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Enjoy! I like to serve this with a side salad or even some steamed or roasted broccoli.
Storage
In a sealed container, these can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They may be frozen if the container is well sealed for up to 3 months.
To reheat, thaw in fridge overnight. Individual portions can be microwaved or the casserole can be reheated in the oven until hot (approx. 20 minutes at 3550F).
FAQs
Yes, you can! If you want to just layer this using different pasta, it would be faster to make and taste just as delicious!
Your pasta is probably overcooked. You don't want to overcook the pasta when initially cooking them (stuff them while they are undercooked and slightly cooled).
Skip the tomato sauce and use all salsa! Choose a hotter salsa to get a spicier flavor.
Other Mexican Flavored Recipes to Try
Printable Recipe
Taco pasta shells
Ingredients
- Large pasta shells
- 28 oz can of plain tomato sauce not spaghetti or any type of Italian sauce
- 12 oz jar of salsa
- 1 ½ lbs ground beef
- 1 package taco seasoning
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese or your favorite combination with mozzarella in it
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F
- Cook ground beef and add about ½ cup of water and taco seasoning. Simmer until most of the water is gone. Set aside and let cool a bit.
- Boil jumbo shells about 2 minutes less than cooking instructions on the package. Drain and rinse shells with cold water.
- Spray 9 x 13 casserole dish with nonstick spray
- Pour enough tomato sauce then a layer of salsa to thinly cover the bottom of the casserole dish.
- Take a cooked cooled shell and stuff it with the ground beef/taco spice mixture. Add cheese on top of each stuffed shell. Place into casserole dish.
- Once all shells are assembled and in a casserole dish, drizzle on the balance of salsa sauce. Sprinkle on any remaining cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake in oven for about 25 minutes. Remove foil and finish baking for another 5 minutes. This will allow the cheese to brown.
Notes
Storage
In a sealed container, these can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They may be frozen if the container is well sealed for up to 3 months.To reheat, thaw in fridge overnight (if frozen). Individual portions can be microwaved or the casserole can be reheated in the oven until hot (approx. 20 minutes at 350F).
Nutrition (I am not a nutritionist. These are estimates only)
I hope you enjoy this dish as much as we did! I still can't get over that there were only three shells left at the end of the meal. You know everyone is enjoying their food when you get that quiet lull in the conversation. Love it when that happens!!
Love easy to make one-dish meals?
Try this Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole.
Michelle Leslie
We'll definitely be trying these real soon. My hubby loves his tacos an me, I'm a big pasta fan, so it's a win-win all round.
Mary
These were a huge hit in my family....not a shell left! Thanks for the recipe....nice change-up!
momcrieff
Thanks Mary! It is hard finding meals everyone loves. So happy it worked for you!