Why do stuffed shells get watery?

Stuffed shells can get watery for a few different reasons. One reason could be that the shells were not cooked long enough and they released water while cooking . Another reason could be that the filling was too wet, which made the shells soggy.

What are the origins of stuffed shells?

The recipe for stuffed pasta shells comes from the Sicilian culinary tradition: in the original recipe, the meat sauce is made with veal mixed with tomato sauce and peas. Above, béchamel sauce is used as an alternative to tomato sauce. Why pasta shells? All the better to fill with delicious ingredients, of course!

What happens if you put too much water in stuffing?

The stuffing should be moist but not wet. If there is a puddle of broth at the bottom of the bowl, you've added too much. Add more bread to soak up the excess moisture . If the mix is still dry and crumbly, add more liquid and toss gently until it starts to clump together.

How do you keep stuffed shells from sticking together?

You should only be cooking the shells to al dente to start! Once your shells have reached this point, drain the hot water from the pot and replace it with cold water . This stops the shells from cooking any further than you want them to and also ensures that they won't stick together upon serving.

What are stuffed shells called in Italy?

The pasta called conchiglioni, usually marketed as “ jumbo shells ” here in the US, are filled with a ricotta cream enriched with mozzarella, napped with a simple marinara sauce and topped with a generous sprinkling of Parmesan before being baked in a hot oven.

Despite its many forms and the countless texts in which it has appeared, pasta seems to be universally associated with Italy. According to history, however, pasta's earliest roots begin in China, during the Shang Dynasty (1700-1100 BC) , where some form of pasta was made with either wheat or rice flour.

How to fix runny ricotta?

Hang your ricotta or leave sitting in a strainer with a weight overnight . This will get rid of all the excess liquid allowing you to mix through whatever flavouring you want and then fill.

Why is my ricotta cheese watery?

The sign your ricotta is bad If the ricotta has gone yellowish or brown, or if there's a layer of water sitting atop the cheese, that's also an indicator that your ricotta has spoiled (so don't just shrug and mix the water back into the cheese!).

Is ricotta supposed to be watery?

While the flavor of ricotta is light, its texture is meant to be thick and creamy. Unfortunately, most grocery stores carry watery ricotta that seems to have lost this desirable quality. Heres a quick tip to restore its consistency, making it perfect to use in any dish, from lasagna to cannoli.

How to thicken watery ricotta?

There are several ways to thicken ricotta filling. One is to place the filling in a fine strainer over a bowl and allow excess liquid to drain off . Another way is to line the strainer with cheesecloth. Yet another way is to add a thickener such as cornstarch or arrowroot starch.

Mexican Stuffed Shells - Recipe Diaries (2024)

Published: Nov 12, 2023 by Jenna · This post may contain affiliate links · 24 Comments

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Mexican Stuffed shells are filled with seasoned taco flavored beef and topped with cheese! These are great if you're looking for something different for Taco Tuesday night.

Mexican Stuffed Shells - Recipe Diaries (1)

I was very tired today and really wanted to come home and take a nap. Instead, I ended up cooking and made three things. A frozen key lime pie, banana bread muffins, and this dish for Mexican stuffed shells.

I am home alone this weekend and decided to make these Mexican stuffed shells since there was cheese on top and cream cheese in the middle. Boy let me tell you something, these Mexican Shells did not disappoint.

I used lean ground beef and low-fat cream cheese to keep these a tad on the lighter side. For garnish used some tomatoes and parsley. One of the best pasta dishes I've made in a long time. Will definitely make this dish again.

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Ingredients Needed
How to Make Stuffed Shells
Other Recipes To Try
Mexican Stuffed Shells

Ingredients Needed

Mexican Stuffed Shells - Recipe Diaries (2)

Ground beef (93% lean) - Is considered better than higher fat options for several reasons. First, it has less saturated fat, which can contribute to heart disease and other health issues. Additionally, it tends to have fewer calories per serving, making it a good option for those watching their weight. The 96% lean ground beef from Aldi is my favorite.
Yellow onion, diced
Taco seasoning - Is a blend of spices used to flavor ground beef or other meats for use in tacos. It typically includes a combination of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and sometimes salt and pepper. It can be purchased pre-mixed, or made at home using individual spices. I usually buy the Lower Sodium Taco Seasoning packets such as Mrs Dash.
Fat free cream cheese - I like to use Reduced-Fat Cheese because it has a lower calorie count and less saturated fat than regular cheese, but it may also have a different taste and texture. It also helps with keeping the calorie count pretty low for this recipe.
Pasta shells - jumbo sized
Enchilada sauce - use your favorite brand, I like Trader Joes or Old El Paso.
Salsa - Use your favorite jarred or prepared salsa
Reduced fat colby jack cheese - I like to use Reduced-Fat Cheese because it has a lower calorie count and less saturated fat than regular cheese, but it may also have a different taste and texture. It also helps with keeping the calorie count pretty low for this recipe.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

How to Make Stuffed Shells

Bring a large pot of water to boil. Boil your pasta shells for about 10 minutes until cooked al dente. Rinse shells when done cooking.

Mexican Stuffed Shells - Recipe Diaries (3)

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Step 2: Meanwhile, cook up your ground beef and onions over medium-high heat until cooked thoroughly. Drain the excess grease from the pan. Add in taco seasoning and stir to mix. Add in cream cheese and cook over medium heat until cheese is mixed in and melty throughout. Set aside.

Mexican Stuffed Shells - Recipe Diaries (4)

Step 3: Combine your enchilada sauce and salsa in a small bowl. Pour about half of your enchilada sauce salsa mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 pan and spread around.

Mexican Stuffed Shells - Recipe Diaries (5)

Other Recipes To Try

Weight Watchers Meatloaf Muffins
Weight Watchers Slow Cooker Taco Soup (Low Sodium)
Banana Bread Weight Watchers (Low Point)
WW Instant Pot White Chicken Chili

If you tried this Mexican Stuffed Shells orany other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you! Follow along on Tiktok @jennarecipediaries

Recipe adapted from Like Mother Like Daughter