Ah, Stuff It. Stuff It Real Good.

When I found this recipe I knew it would be a hit with at least 2 of my boys.  {I have 1 very stubborn, picky eater and well, most foods don’t ever get to see the inside of his little mouth.} I couldn’t wait to try it out on the two guys I know will eat anything in their path and I was SO right…they LOVED it!!!  Anyway…any recipe that combines Italian & Mexican is a winner in my book and this recipe does just that.  This is one of those couldn’t-be-easier-why-didn’t-I-think-of-that kinda recipes.  And quick, too! 

 

TACO STUFFED SHELLS

recipe from Blog Chef

1 lb. ground beef {I used ground turkey…pretty dang good!}

1 pkg. taco seasoning

1 {14 oz.} pkg. cream cheese

12 large pasta shells

1 cup salsa {I used World Casera}

1 cup taco sauce {I used Taco Bell}

I cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 chp shredded monterrey jack cheese

1/2 cup tortilla chips, crushed

3 green onions, chopped

1 cup sour cream

 

Yes, I know.  It looks like it requires a little too much effort, but I swear that’s SO not the case!  First on the list, go ahead and brown your meat.  Drain and return to pan.  Add taco seasoning & prepare according to package directions.  Then go ahead and toss in your cream cheese, cover, and let it simmer until the cream cheese is melted.  Mix it around til it’s nice & blended and then set it aside.  You’ll wanna make sure this little mix has time to cool off before stuffing your shells.

In the meantime, cook your shells according to package directions.  Drain, return to pot, and mix with butter.  Pour some salsa in the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish.  I used this World Table Salsa Casera and ohmiword.  I’m in love.  I actually found this salsa by accident.  When we were in Indiana, I went grocery shopping looking for my favorite, Joe T’s.  Y’all…those crazy northerners DON’T HAVE JOE T’S SALSA!!!!  What the gravy?!?!  So I had to find an alternative and World Table was it.  Now I’m hooked!!!

Now stuff your shells with the meat mix and place them in the baking dish on top of the salsa.  Cover the tops of the shells with taco sauce.  I know the recipe called for a cup, but I just eyeballed it and put on as much…or as little…as I wanted :)

Cover the baking dish with foil and cook at 350 for 30 minutes.  I failed to cover the shells…don’t make the same mistake!!  It’ll make your shells all crunchy if you don’t cover them!!!  Remove from oven, uncover, and sprinkle crushed tortilla chips and the cheeses on top of the shells.  Cook for about 15 more minutes {uncovered} or until cheeses are all melted.

Remove from oven and top with whatever makes your little heart happy.  We topped ours with sour cream and green onions….YUMMO!!!!

Y’all can’t tell me that doesn’t look **12 kinds** of delicious!!!!  Because seriously…IT IS!!!!  My itty bitty little man helped himself to three stuffed shells and STILL wanted more when it was all said and done!!   Mr. Spouse and I kept going back for more and ohmiword…we were IN.LOVE.  For real in love.  Like I said before, any recipe that combines two of my favorite flavors…Italian and Mexican…is a winner in my book and this one seriously takes the cake!!!  LOVE IT!!!!