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Sloppy Joe Stuffed Shells Recipe

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4.3 from 74 reviews

  • Author: Sky
  • Total Time: 1 hour 23 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 8

Description

Delicious Sloppy Joe Stuffed Shells combine the classic savory ground beef and sloppy joe sauce with tender jumbo pasta shells, baked to perfection with melted Colby Jack cheese and fresh chives. This hearty, family-friendly meal offers a comforting twist on traditional sloppy joes, perfect for gatherings or weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 1 (12 oz) package jumbo stuffing shells

Beef Mixture

  • 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 2 green peppers, diced
  • 1 white onion, diced
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 (15 oz) cans sloppy joe mix (such as Manwich)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped chives, plus extra for serving

Topping

  • 3 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the jumbo stuffing shells until al dente, following package instructions. Drain the shells and arrange them in a single layer on a plate to prevent sticking.
  2. Brown Beef: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the lean ground beef and cook until browned, about 8 minutes, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Remove the cooked beef from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Cook Vegetables: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet. Add diced green peppers and white onion, cooking for 10 minutes or until vegetables are softened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Combine Filling: Mix the sautéed vegetables with the browned beef and 1 ½ cans of the sloppy joe mix. Stir until well combined.
  5. Prepare Baking Pans: Spread the remaining ½ can of sloppy joe mix evenly over the bottom of a 9”x13” deep-sided baking pan and an 8”x8” pan.
  6. Cool Filling and Pasta: Allow both the shell pasta and beef mixture to cool for 10-20 minutes to make handling easier.
  7. Stuff Shells: Stuff each jumbo shell with the beef and vegetable mixture. Arrange the stuffed shells in rows in the prepared pans.
  8. Add Chives and Cheese: Sprinkle chopped chives over the arranged stuffed shells. Then evenly sprinkle the 3 cups of shredded Colby Jack cheese on top.
  9. Bake: Cover the pans with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350˚F (175˚C) for 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  10. Serve: Remove from oven and sprinkle extra chopped chives on top just before serving for added freshness and flavor.

Notes

  • For a milder flavor, substitute green peppers with red or yellow bell peppers.
  • Use lean ground turkey or chicken as a lower-fat alternative to beef.
  • Prepare the stuffed shells a day ahead and bake when ready to serve for convenient meal prep.
  • If unable to find sloppy joe mix, you can substitute with a homemade sauce made from tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and spices.
  • Ensure shells are not overcooked to avoid breaking when stuffing.
  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 38 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://skysrecipes.com/sloppy-joe-stuffed-shells-recipe/