Recipe by Mrs. Katerina Stergiou – The Golden-Handed Cooks / Delicacies
Pasta Shells Stuffed with Ground Beef and Tomato Sauce
🍅 Ingredients for the meat filling:
1 kg ground beef
2 onions
2 ripe tomatoes
1 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon tomato paste
(Optional) a clove of garlic
Salt and pepper to taste
🍅 For the tomato sauce:
3 ripe tomatoes
½ cup olive oil
1 stock cube
1 tablespoon tomato paste
A pinch of sugar
Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation:
1. Cook the pasta shells in salted water with a bit of oil for only five minutes — don’t overcook them!
2. Drain them and place them in a pot filled with cold water and a little oil to prevent sticking.
3. Meanwhile, prepare the meat filling: sauté the chopped onions in olive oil until soft, add the ground beef, then the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, seasonings, and garlic (if using). Cook gently until the mixture becomes thick and flavorful.
4. Using a small teaspoon, fill the pasta shells with the meat mixture.
5. Next, make the tomato sauce by combining all the ingredients in a saucepan and simmering until smooth and rich.
6. Spread the sauce over the bottom of a baking dish, then arrange the stuffed shells on top.
7. Cover with parchment paper and aluminum foil, and bake at 200°C (392°F) for 10 minutes.
8. Serve hot, sprinkled generously with grated cheese.
💡 For an extra creamy touch, you can also add béchamel sauce on top before baking.
📸 The photo shows the dish before it goes into the oven.
Recipe by Mrs. Katerina Stergiou – The Golden-Handed Cooks / Delicacies
