Monday, February 12, 2018

Monday Meals - Mexican Stuffed Shells

Even though I love cooking...each day trying to figure out what to make is usually a struggle. How many of you feel the same way?

For me it isn't the lack of ideas...its more so the fact that I want multiple things! So every now and again I try and figure out how to combine things! This recipe combines my love of pasta with my love of Mexican food! Over the past few weeks I've made this meal several times...and Mike even likes it...which is sometimes a crap shoot. Ha!

Before we start with the step by step recipe...please note that I use the Taco Sauce that I make and can. It's a SUPER simple recipe that you can find *HERE*...I promise...it's simple! Or you can do what I did the first time, use the bottled taco sauce from the store. Seriously...these things are in the store for a reason...use them. But if you have the time, gumption and desire...make this sauce at home...you'll love it!

Also...you can use reduced fat cheese, and reduced fat cream cheese if you want...but honestly...why? Why? Let me ask that again. WHY?!? ;-) But just know...you can do that if you want. Oh! And if you want...use ground turkey or chicken. You can seriously make this your own.

How to make this amazing dish...(the written recipe, without pictures, is at the bottom of this post)


Ingredients:
- 30 Uncooked Jumbo Pasta Shells
- 1 Onion
- 2 lbs Ground Beef
- 16 oz Taco Sauce 
- 3.5 oz Cream Cheese (I use Jalapeno Cream Cheese)
- 2 tsps. Chili Powder
- Kosher Salt & Fresh Ground Black Pepper, To Taste
- Olive Oil
- Sliced Black Olives
- Shredded Cheese (I used the Mexican Blend)
- Fritos Scoops Chips


First things first...get a large pot of water boiling. Season LIBERALLY with Kosher salt.


Cook pasta shells according to the instructions on the package.


After cooking time is up, drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.


Dice the onion. I tend to dice on the small side...but if you like larger chunks...do a rough chop!


Heat a skillet (I'm used a cast iron one here) to Medium heat...add some olive oil.


Add onions, saute until soft. Season with Kosher salt.

**NOTE** It's important to season with Kosher salt along the way!



Once the onions have softened...add the ground beef. Break it apart using a spoon, or you can even use a potato masher!


Season with Kosher Salt and Black Pepper.


Once beef is cooked, remove pan from heat and add 1/2 cup of the taco sauce, chili powder, cream cheese & 1/4 cup of shredded cheese.





Mix it all together.

 Prepare a 9 x 13 baking dish by spraying with cooking spray.


Start stuffing cooked shells with a spoonful of meat/cheese mixture.


Arrange the stuffed shell in the baking dish...


Pour remaining sauce over the shells.


Cover with tinfoil and bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 20 minutes.


After the 20 minutes, remove foil, sprinkle with black olives and cheese. Use as much or as little cheese as you want!



Bake for another 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly!


Et, voila! Well maybe I should have said that in Spanish...ha! But you know what I mean.

Another fun way to do this dish is to bake them in individual little dishes. That way everyone's dish is already made! :)


Serve this dish with crunched up Fritos on top alongside a nice salad. And there you have it!



Like I said...this dish is easy to make and super yummy! It's been on our menu several times over the past few weeks! I hope you like it as much as we do!

Let me know if the comments if you make this dish and if you like it! :)

Until next time...Keep Cookin'!

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Recipe: Mexican Stuffed Shells

Ingredients:
- 30 Uncooked Jumbo Pasta Shells
- 1 Onion
- 2 lbs Ground Beef
- 16 oz Taco Sauce
- 3.5 oz Cream Cheese (I use Jalapeno Cream Cheese)
- 2 tsps. Chili Powder
- Kosher Salt & Fresh Ground Black Pepper, To Taste
- Olive Oil
- Sliced Black Olives
- Shredded Cheese (I used the Mexican Blend)
- Fritos Scoops Chips

Directions: **Note** Make sure to season with Kosher Salt along the way. **

1) Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and season LIBERALLY with Kosher Salt.

2) Cook pasta shells according to the package. Then drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.

3) Dice Onion. Dice them into whatever size you prefer. I tend to dice on the smaller side.

4) Heat skillet over medium heat, add some olive oil and saute onions until soft.

5) Add ground beef, breaking apart and cooking until no longer pink inside.

6) Once beef is cooked, add chili powder, about 1/2 cup of Taco Sauce & cream cheese. Also mix in about 1/4 cup of shredded cheese.

7) Now stuff each shell with a spoonful of hamburger mixture. Place them in a 9 x 13 baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray.

8) Pour remaining taco sauce over the shells. Cover with tinfoil and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 20 minutes.

9) After 20 minutes is up, remove foil, sprinkle with black olives and cheese. Bake for another 10 minutes.

10) Serve up with crunched up fritos on top. Enjoy!!!




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