Step-By-Step Pictures How To Make Baked Pasta Shells Casserole

Here are the step-by-step illustrations on how to make baked pasta shells casserole.  You can find the exact ingredients and directions for this recipe by using the following link: Baked Pasta Shells Casserole Recipe With Ground Meat And Ricotta.

This casserole recipe uses pasta shells, ricotta cheese, ground meat (you can use any kind of ground meat – ground beef, ground turkey, ground pork or ground chicken).  The top of the casserole is the layer of melted shredded cheese.  The classic shredded cheese for this recipe is mozarella, but I also made this recipe with cheddar cheese and jack cheese as a topping.

This baked pasta casserole uses a layering logic similar to lasagna.  It also tastes similar to lasagna, as it has similar ingredients: pasta, tomato sauce, ground meat, ricotta cheese and shredded cheese on top. However, this recipe is much easier to make than lasagna.  Here’s how to make baked pasta shells casserole:

Step-By-Step Illustrations For The Baked Pasta Shells Casserole:

Cook the pasta shells according to package directions, then drain:

Fry the onions, ground meat and garlic:

Add tomato sauce to the meat mixture:

Mix ricotta and egg in a bowl:

Divide the meat mixture in half.  Layer the first half of the mixture in a baking dish:

Then spread the ricotta as a second layer of the casserole:

Then put the remaining meat and tomato sauce mixture on top to make a third layer of this pasta casserole:

And now the final layer – sprinkle with the shredded cheese!

Bake in a 375F oven for 40 minutes, and out comes the yummy baked pasta shells casserole!

Again, if you are looking for the exact measurements, ingredients and directions, check out the original recipe of baked pasta casserole.