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.
Stuffed Taco Shells
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 You Need for Stuffed Taco Shells
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Ground beef or shredded chicken
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Taco seasoning
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Cream cheese
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Salsa (look for the fresh stuff, it’s soooo much better!)
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Taco sauce
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Shredded cheese
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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
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Stuffed Taco Shells
A fast, affordable, and flavorful meal the whole family will love.
Ingredients
- 1 - 1.5 lbs ground beef
- 1 envelope taco seasoning
- 2/3 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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Recipe Notes
For some added crunch and fun, add a handful of crushed nacho chips on top of the shells, prior to adding the cheese.
oh what a fun take on stuffed shells. genius!
Yum! This looks so good! I can imagine the amazing texture of this recipe. I love the idea of soft, noddle shells. So fun!
Oh my I am in taco heaven! Never added cream cheese to tacos either, so I have to try this, good idea!
They look amazing, Dan! As usual the photos are gorgeous! Any dish that starts with tacos, I’m in!
Oh I love how much texture is in this dish because you chopped the veggies.. I love that.. Sounds so delish..
Hi Dan, What a great idea! I love stuffed shells, and these with a Mexican twist looks so yummy!! Have a great weekend!
LOVE these, I just bought some jumbo shells the other day!
These stuffed taco shells look a great idea for midweek dinner.
Such a great idea for fussy kids.
I love all kinds of stuffed pasta. Your shells with ground beef look crazy delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
I love stuffed shells and these look so good. What a great idea.
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?!
Looks like perfect comfort food to me!
Jane x
Yum! What a great twist on a pasta dinner.
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!!
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.
What a Tex-Mex Foodie’s delight!!! Looks phenomenal and I can’t wait to try it!!