Stuffed Taco Shells are a delicious variation on traditional stuffed shells that you’re going to love making and your whole family is going to love eating.
What are these?
I’m not going to lie, most of the kids in our family of six boy are kitchen table lightweights. Sure, every once in a while they will plow through a family dinner like a hot knife through butter. Many times however we get the rote responses of, “I’m not really hungry tonight,” or “Are there mushrooms in this?” or “I just want a little bit.”
Happily, that wasn’t the case at all the first time that I put this pan full of Stuffed Taco Shells together. In fact, there was nary a single shell left when the last dad left the table. To make this Stuffed Taco Shells recipe even better, it goes together in a snap and easily feeds a small crowd for about $3.00 per serving.
What’s in this
- Ground beef or shredded chicken
- Taco seasoning
- Cream cheese
- Salsa (look for the fresh stuff, it’s soooo much better!)
- Taco sauce
- Shredded cheese
- Optional add-ons: Nacho chips, green onions, sour cream, guacamole
Yes, there are a lot of wins in this kid-friendly recipe that mom and dad will love too. As always, I hope you won’t take my word for it, but rather try it yourself and be amazed at how quickly these Stuffed Taco Shells will disappear. -Dan
Other delicious pasta recipes
- Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Shells
- 15 Minute Creamy Pasta with Ham and Peas
- Garlic and Basil Shrimp over Angel Hair Pasta
- Conchigliette al forno (Baked Shells)
Stuffed Taco Shells Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 - 1.5 lbs ground beef
- 1 envelope taco seasoning
- ⅔ cup water
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1 box jumbo shells
- 2 cups salsa divided
- 2 cups shredded cheese
- 2 cups taco sauce
- 3 green onions optional garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Brown ground beef over medium heat, in large skillet. Add taco seasoning and water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and stir in cream cheese until melted and completely blended. Allow to cool to room temperature.
- Prepare shells as directed on box, being sure to not over-cook. Drain shells and place on baking sheet so the don't stick together.
- Use 1 cup of salsa and spread evenly over the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Reserve remaining salsa. Using a teaspoon, carefully stuff shells with taco beef mixture. Place each shell in pan, atop salsa. Drizzle the taco sauce evenly over the shells.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven, spread shredded cheese over shells and bake, uncovered, for 15 more minutes. Remove from oven, garnish with green onions and remaining salsa, serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Felesha Bell says
What a Tex-Mex Foodie’s delight!!! Looks phenomenal and I can’t wait to try it!!
Renz says
This looks divine. I would plow through this easily. Do you think this would prep and freeze well? I’m looking for dinners to have stored up as I get ready for baby.
Sarah says
This has to be one of the most genius recipes that I’ve ever seen! Pairing the beauty of pasta with the amazingness of tacos…Can’t wait to give these a try!!
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine says
Yum! What a great twist on a pasta dinner.
Jane says
Looks like perfect comfort food to me!
Jane x
Just Jo says
Hungry Hubby would go mad for these! I have saved the recipe though as we are going carb free for a month (urgh – we must be mad). Can you imagine how fantastic this will taste after a month of no pasta?!
Rosemary says
I love stuffed shells and these look so good. What a great idea.
Jovita @ Yummy Addiction says
I love all kinds of stuffed pasta. Your shells with ground beef look crazy delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
VA@Katherine Hackworthy(Veggie desserts) says
Such a great idea for fussy kids.
Kate Veggie Desserts says
These stuffed taco shells look a great idea for midweek dinner.
sue | theviewfromgreatisland says
LOVE these, I just bought some jumbo shells the other day!
Carlos At Spoonabilities says
Hi Dan, What a great idea! I love stuffed shells, and these with a Mexican twist looks so yummy!! Have a great weekend!
Veena Azmanov says
Oh I love how much texture is in this dish because you chopped the veggies.. I love that.. Sounds so delish..
Beth @ Binky's Culinary Carnival says
They look amazing, Dan! As usual the photos are gorgeous! Any dish that starts with tacos, I’m in!
Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry says
Oh my I am in taco heaven! Never added cream cheese to tacos either, so I have to try this, good idea!
Luci's Morsels says
Yum! This looks so good! I can imagine the amazing texture of this recipe. I love the idea of soft, noddle shells. So fun!
Kristina @ Love & Zest says
oh what a fun take on stuffed shells. genius!