Renee's Kitchen Quest

Taco Stuffed Shells

Taco Stuffed Shells

TACO STUFFED SHELLS

Delicious!  Spicy meat and bean mixture stuffed into delicate jumbo pasta shells. Drenched in a spicy enchilada sauce topped with melty cheese.

You know it. I love me some tacos. and of course, its got to have some kick to it. Spicy homemade taco seasoning and an enchilada sauce with an Italian flair from the pasta shells.  It makes an easy weeknight meal that is so yummy.

WHAT YOU NEED

olive oil
crushed garlic
medium yellow onion
ground beef
black beans
ranch style beans
salt
jumbo shells
cheddar cheese
green onions
vegetable oil
flour
chili powder
tomato paste
cumin
garlic powder
cayenne pepper
smoked paprika
oregano
fresh black pepper

 

HOW TO MAKE IT

Heat boiling water in a pot for the pasta shells. Cook pasta according to package directions. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large saucepan cook ground beef, diced onion, and crushed garlic.

While the pasta and ground beef are cooking mix up the taco seasoning. In a small mixing bowl mix together 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp cumin, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/2 tsp oregano, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper set aside. When the meat is done cooking Drain the beans and add them to the meat along with the taco seasoning.

Mix well. In the same mixing bowl mix 2 tbsp vegetable oil, 2 tbsp flour, 2 tbsp chili powder, 2 cups water, 3 oz tomato paste, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, and 3/4 tsp salt.

Drain the pasta and run cool water over them. Stuff them with the meat mixture and place in a large baking dish. Pour sauce over the top of the stuffed shells and top with cheese.

Bake in the oven for 15 minutes or until bubbly.

Taco Stuffed Shells

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 8

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 box jumbo shells
  • 2 cups black beans
  • 2 cups ranch style beans
  • 1 yellow onion (chopped)
  • 2 tsp crushed garlic
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese (shredded)

TACO SEASONING

  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 tsp oregano
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

ENCHILADA SAUCE

  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 2 cups water
  • 3 oz tomato paste
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions
 

  • Boil water to cook pasta
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Be sure not to overcook. They will be soft and hard to fill.
  • Dice onion and garlic
  • Heat oil in a large saucepan
  • Cook ground beef, onion, and garlic
  • While the pasta and beef are cooking. In a small bowl mix the taco seasoning together
  • Drain the black beans and ranch style beans and add to the meat
  • Mix in the taco seasoning and turn off the heat
  • In the same bowl mix the enchilada sauce
  • Drain the pasta shells and rinse with cool water
  • Stuff the shells with the meat mixture and place in a large baking pan
  • Pour the enchilada sauce over the shells
  • Top with the cheddar cheese and bake in the oven for 15 minutes or until bubbly
  • Slice the green onion and spread over the top for garnish