These taco stuffed shells are an easy, cheesy dinner made with jumbo pasta shells instead of crispy taco shells. Each shell is filled with a seasoned ground beef taco mixture, topped with plenty of cheese, and baked until hot and bubbly.

If you love classic stuffed shells with ground beef but want something with a little more flavor, this recipe is a fun Mexican-inspired twist. It’s simple to make, family-friendly, and perfect for busy weeknights.

This stuffed shells recipe is perfect for Cinco de Mayo, or anytime you are in the mood for dinner with a spicy kick.

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Why you’ll love these taco stuffed shells

These are the kinds of stuffed pasta shells you’ll want to keep in your regular dinner rotation because they’re both comforting and incredibly simple to pull together.

They use basic pantry ingredients that you likely already have on hand, making them an easy last-minute dinner option.
They come together quickly with minimal prep, so you’re not spending a lot of time in the kitchen on busy nights.
The filling is hearty and satisfying, giving you all the flavor of taco night in a baked pasta form.
They’re easy to customize based on your preferences – mild or spicy, or extra cheesy.
Leftovers reheat well, making them a great option for lunches or another quick dinner the next day.

Ingredients for taco stuffed shells

To make these stuffed pasta shells, you’ll need the following ingredients:

For the ground beef taco filling

1 pound of ground beef
2 large cloves of garlic, minced
1 package of taco seasoning
¾ cups of water
4 ounces of cream cheese, cubed

For the pasta shells

6 ounces of jumbo pasta shells (cooked al dente)
2 tablespoons of butter, melted

For the sauce and layers

½ cup of salsa
½ cup of marinara sauce
1 cup of shredded Mexican cheese

For serving

½ cup of sour cream
2 green onions, chopped

This recipe calls for a few convenient shortcuts, such as taco seasoning, jarred marinara sauce, and cream cheese, making these taco stuffed shells quick and easy to prepare while still packed with rich, comforting flavor.

Making the jumbo taco stuffed shells

This family-friendly Mexican-inspired recipe is very easy to make.

Making the taco-flavored ground beef filling

Cook the ground beef and garlic over medium heat until the beef is no longer pink.
Drain the fat.
In the same pan, stir in the taco seasoning and water.
Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for about 5 minutes.

Stir in the cream cheese until it has melted.
Transfer the mixture to a bowl. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

What kind of shells to use

This recipe uses pasta shells, not crispy taco shells. I chose medium-sized shells.

They are easier to get at my local store and are big enough to hold a good amount of the ground beef taco-flavored filling.

Cook the pasta

While the mixture is chilling, cook the pasta shells in boiling water.
Drain the shells and gently toss them with butter.

Preheat the oven and prepare the baking dish

Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
Grease a 9-in. square baking dish.
Spoon salsa into the greased pan.

Fill the pasta shells

Fill each shell with about 3 tablespoons of the ground beef mixture.
Place the stuffed shells into the pan, and pour the marinara sauce over the top.

Bake the stuffed shells with ground beef

Cover the casserole with aluminum foil, and bake for 30 minutes.
Uncover; sprinkle with the Mexican cheese.
Bake 15 minutes longer until bubbly and heated through.

Garnish with some diced green onions and sour cream, and add a tossed salad. The family will ask for this one again and again!

Tips for the best stuffed shells with ground beef

Here’s how to make this taco filled pasta shells recipe turn out perfectly on the first try.

Chill the ground beef mixture before filling the shells.
Don’t overcook pasta – al dente pasta will hold the sauce better.
Season the meat well – this is where the flavor is.
Use enough sauce to keep it moist but not watery.

FAQs – Taco stuffed shells recipe

Can I make these stuffed pasta shells ahead of time?

Yes. You can assemble the stuffed shells up to 24 hours in advance, cover tightly, and refrigerate until ready to bake. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if cooking straight from the fridge.

Can I freeze stuffed shells with ground beef?

Yes. These taco stuffed shells freeze well. Assemble the dish, wrap it tightly, and freeze before baking. When ready to serve, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake as directed.

Can I use a different meat?

Absolutely. Ground turkey or ground chicken both work as substitutes for ground beef. You can also use shredded rotisserie chicken for a quicker variation.

What sauce works best for taco stuffed shells?

Jarred marinara sauce works best for convenience and flavor balance. You can also use enchilada sauce or a homemade tomato-based sauce if you prefer a slightly different taste profile.

Why add cream cheese to taco stuffed shells?

Cream cheese is a great addition because it makes the filling extra creamy and helps bind the seasoned ground beef together for a richer texture.

Are these made with taco shells or pasta shells?

These are made with jumbo pasta shells, not crispy taco shells. The pasta is stuffed, baked, and covered in sauce and cheese for a classic baked pasta dish.

How can I make these stuffed shells spicier?

Add diced jalapeños, hot taco seasoning, or pepper jack cheese for a boost of heat.

Related Recipes You Might Also Like

If you enjoyed these easy taco stuffed shells, be sure to also try these taco-inspired recipes:

Stuffed Shells with Homemade Taco Sauce: A comforting baked pasta variation flavored with a bold taco-inspired sauce.
Taco Wraps: A quick and easy way to enjoy all the flavors of taco night in a simple handheld meal.
Taco Melts (Biscuit Bake): Fluffy biscuit dough filled with seasoned taco beef and cheese, then baked until golden and gooey.

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✨ These Taco Stuffed Shells are the ultimate easy weeknight dinner! 🧀🌮 Jumbo pasta shells filled with seasoned ground beef, cream cheese, and melty cheese, then baked in rich marinara sauce until bubbly and golden. 😍 So comforting, so simple, and always a family favorite! #TacoTuesday #EasyDinner #FamilyMeals #ComfortFood #PastaRecipes #WeeknightDinner 🌮🍝🔥

Pin this recipe for taco filled pasta shells

Name: Easy Taco Stuffed Shells with Ground Beef (Cheesy & Family-Friendly)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 2 h
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Mexican-Italian fusion
Ingredients: 1 pound of ground beef; 2 large cloves of garlic, minced; 1 package of taco seasoning; ¾ cups of water; 4 ounces of cream cheese, cubed; 6 ounces of jumbo pasta shells; 2 tablespoons of butter, melted; ½ cup of salsa; ½ cup of marinara sauce; 1 cup of shredded Mexican cheese; ½ cup of sour cream; 2 green onions, chopped

Would you like a reminder of this recipe for this taco stuffed jumbo shells recipe? Pin this image to one of your recipe boards on Pinterest so that you can easily find it later.

Admin note: This recipe for taco shells with cream cheese first appeared on the blog in August 2013. This post has been updated with new photos, a printable recipe card, and a slideshow video.

Yield: 4 stuffed pasta shells

Easy Taco Stuffed Shells with Ground Beef (Cheesy & Family-Friendly)

These easy taco stuffed shells are loaded with seasoned ground beef, cheese, and bold taco flavor, all baked inside jumbo pasta shells. A simple, comforting dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights and always a family favorite.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Additional Time 1 hour

Total Time 2 hours

Ingredients

1 pound of ground beef
2 large cloves of garlic, minced
1 package of taco seasoning
¾ cups of water
4 ounces of cream cheese, cubed
6 ounces of jumbo pasta shells
2 tablespoons of butter, melted
½ cup of salsa
½ cup of marinara sauce
1 cup of shredded Mexican cheese
½ cup of sour cream
2 green onions, chopped

Instructions

In a large skillet on the stove, cook the ground beef with the minced garlic over medium heat until the beef is no longer pink.
Drain the fat. In the same pan, stir in the taco seasoning and water. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for about 5 minutes.
Stir in the cream cheese until it has melted. Transfer the mixture to a bowl. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
While the mixture is chilling, cook the pasta shells in boiling water. Drain the shells and gently toss them with butter.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
Grease a 9-in. square baking dish.
Spoon salsa into the greased pan.
Fill each shell with about 3 tablespoons of the ground beef mixture.
Place the stuffed shells into the pan, and pour the marinara sauce over the top.
Cover the casserole with aluminum foil, and bake for 30 minutes.
Uncover; sprinkle with the Mexican cheese.
Bake 15 minutes longer until bubbly and heated through. Serve with sour cream and sliced green onions.

Notes

You can freeze the recipe for up to 3 months. To use the frozen shells: Thaw them in the refrigerator for 24 hours (shells will be partially frozen). Then assemble the casserole as described above and bake.

Taco Stuffed Shells (Easy Ground Beef Dinner Recipe)

Why you’ll love these taco stuffed shells