Stuffed shells

Ingredients

• 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
• 1 (15 oz) container ricotta cheese
• 2 c. shredded Italian blend cheese divided (you can substitute with shredded mozzarella cheese)
• ½ c. grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 lb. ground beef 
• 1 c. chopped onion
• 1 egg
• ¼ c. pesto
• 1 (12 oz) box Jumbo pasta shells, cooked, drained, and rinsed in cold water*

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Brown ground beef and onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Allow beef to cool.
3. Combine 1.5 c. of the shredded Italian blend cheese, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, pesto and ½ of the beef in a large bowl.

4. Place ¾ c. of the pasta sauce in the bottom of a 13x9 in baking dish. Combine the remaining beef and pasta sauce in a bowl; set aside.

5. Fill the cooked, cooled shells with the beef and cheese mixture. Place the shells in the baking dish.

6. Top the shells with the beef and sauce mixture. Sprinkle remaining ½ c. of Italian cheese over top.

7. Cover with foil. Bake for 40 minutes or until heated through. Remove the foil cover during the final 5-10 minutes to allow the cheese on top to brown.