Taco Stuffed Shells

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Taco Stuffed Pasta Shells made with jumbo pasta shells filled with a zesty taco meat mixture, topped with cheese and baked until hot, bubbly, and melted.

three taco stuffed shells on a white plate.

Why You'll Love This Taco Stuffed Pasta Shells Recipe

Taco stuffed shells are a great way to use up leftover taco meat. You can ground turkey or ground chicken also, to make them even more budget friendly.

Taco night has never been so easy, nor tasted so delicious! Customize with your favorite taco toppings, such as sour cream, pico de gallo, and guacamole.

Delicious and easy to make.
Budget Friendly for family or buffet.
Can be customized with other meats.
Freezes & reheats well, for busy weeknights.

baked casserole of cheese covered pasta.

Ingredients Overview

Not only are these taco stuffed shells filled with every ingredient found in a classic taco, they're easy to whip up.

Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

How To Make Taco Stuffed Pasta Shells

This simple combination of ground beef, canned tomatoes, spices, jumbo shells and cheese come together quickly for an incredibly comforting meal that is guaranteed to become a regular part of your weeknight rotation!

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 F. Prepare a 9 x 13 baking dish with some non stick cooking spray. Spread ⅓ of the taco sauce in the bottom of the baking dish.

Step 2: Brown the ground beef in a 12" skillet over medium high heat, crumbling as it cooks. Drain well and return to the skillet. Stir in the diced tomatoes and the taco seasoning mix.

ground beef, seasoning, and diced tomatoes in a cast iron skillet.

Mexican blend cheese added to ground beef mixture in a skillet.

Step 3: Mix ingredients well, and then add in half the shredded cheese, stir to mix.

close up of a ground beef taco stuffed pasta shell.

Step 4: Using a cookie scoop, fill each cooked pasta shell with about ¼ cup of the meat mixture.

Step 5: As you stuff the shells, arrange them in the baking dish. Drizzle remaining taco sauce over the prepared shells.

casserole dish full of stuffed pasta shells.

Step 6: Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top of the casserole. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the cheese is melted and the edges are bubbling.

sauce and shredded cheese topped casserole.

Step 7: Remove from the oven and let sit for 15 minutes before serving, casserole 'sets up'.

Step 8: Garnish with diced fresh tomatoes, fresh chopped cilantro or green onion, and crushed Doritos or corn tortilla chips before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these flavorful shells with a side of zesty salsa, creamy guacamole, and a sprinkle of shredded cheese for a satisfying and delicious meal. Enjoy with additional sides for festive Mexican themed holidays with our cilantro lime rice, refried beans, and pico de gallo.

serving spoon in casserole of taco stuffed shells.

Substitutions and Variations

Ground turkey and ground chicken are perfect, budget friendly meat substitutes. You can also make a meatless version using ground Beyond Meat, or Tofu crumbles. Here are a few scrumptious variations using this Taco Stuffed Shells recipe as a base:

For example, you could add a layer of black beans to the bottom of the baking dish before adding the shells.
Or, you could top the shells with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of cilantro.

Tips for Success

Helpful tips to help you when making this recipe:

Use a good quality taco seasoning mix. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your taco stuffed shells.
Don't overcook the ground beef. You want it to be browned but not dry.
If you don't have refried beans, you can use black beans or pinto beans instead.
Feel free to add your favorite taco toppings to your taco stuffed shells. Some popular toppings include sour cream, salsa, guacamole, and shredded cheese.

Storage Options

Here are some storage and reheating recommendations for taco stuffed shells:

Cool completely before placing them in a storage container. You can keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat taco stuffed shells, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
You can also in the microwave. Place the shells on a microwave-safe plate and cook on high for 2-3 minutes, or until heated through.
If the shells are dry, add a splash of water or chicken broth to the baking dish or microwave-safe plate before reheating. This will help to keep the shells moist.
You can top the shells with additional shredded cheese before reheating. This will help to make them crispy and bubbly.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make taco stuffed shells ahead of time?

Yes, you can make taco stuffed shells ahead of time. Simply prepare the taco meat mixture and fill the pasta shells. Then, cover the shells and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours. When you are ready to bake the shells, simply remove them from the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking.

Can I freeze leftover Taco Stuffed Shells?

Yes, you can freeze leftover taco stuffed shells. To reheat frozen taco stuffed shells, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator. Then, reheat them in the oven or microwave according to the instructions above.

What type of cheese can I use on top of the taco stuffed shells?

Any type of cheese will work on top of taco stuffed shells. Some popular choices include cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, and Mexican blend cheese.

What vegetables can I add to the taco meat mixture?

You can add any vegetables you like to the taco meat mixture. Some popular choices include chopped onions, peppers, mushrooms, and corn. Adding vegetables increases the nutrition, and stretches the filling mixture for more servings.

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