Make-Ahead Unstuffed Shells

photo by:kraft

My family loves this recipe! I served it to guests one time and they were impressed. It's up a notch from noodles and sauce - very good.

posted by

Mangeons

on 4/19/2013

time

prep:

30 min

total:

1 hr 15 min

servings

total:

6 servings

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What You Need

cups medium pasta shells, uncooked

lb. extra-lean ground beef

jar (24 oz.) marinara sauce

tub (10 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Italian Herb Cooking Creme

1/3

cup chopped fresh basil

1/4

cup KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese

1-1/2

cups KRAFT Shredded Mozzarella Cheese with a TOUCH OF PHILADELPHIA

Make It

COOK pasta as directed on package, omitting salt. Meanwhile, brown meat in large skillet; drain. Stir in marinara sauce; simmer on medium heat 2 min. Remove from heat.

DRAIN pasta. Mix cooking creme, basil and Parmesan in large bowl; stir in pasta. Spread half the meat sauce onto bottom of 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; cover with layers of pasta mixture and remaining meat sauce. Sprinkle with mozzarella; cover with foil. Refrigerate up to 24 hours.

HEAT oven to 375ºF. Bake casserole, covered, 40 to 45 min. or until heated through, uncovering after 30 min.

Kraft Kitchens Tips

Family Fun

Spend time with your family by preparing this meal together and enjoying a walk afterwards.

Special Extra

Cook 1 each small chopped onion and green pepper along with the meat.

Variation

Casserole can be baked immediately after assembling. Just reduce the baking time to 30 min., uncovering after 20 min.

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Breila

posted:11/6/2011

We did not make this ahead, but baked it immediately. Used Italian sausage and the garlic cooking creme. My family loved it and we will definitely make it again! We brainstormed on how we could change it up a bit and give it a Mexican flair!

thesub

posted:11/6/2011

Family loved it!

u2debb

posted:11/6/2011

This was so good! I added onion and green pepper. My husband had seconds. I will definately make this again and again. Every recipe I've tried with the Philadelphia cooking creme has come out great!

freerefund

posted:11/6/2011

Really simple to make. The only change I made was to use the Italian creme.

cassandra1974

posted:11/5/2011

I made this with the Italian cooking creme and it was very good.

mdmarion1

posted:11/4/2011

This was an instant hit with my family. I omitted the basil, because we aren't huge fans of basil, but added the onion and green pepper to the sauce. The Philly Cooking Creme gives it a rich and creamy flavor. My 3 year old loved it- he wanted more "seashells". This made a great leftover lunch as well- reheats very well! We served this with a nice tossed salad and garlic knots. Will definitely be adding this to my recipe box and will be making it again very soon!

a cook

posted:11/3/2011

I made this for a potluck and we all enjoyed it. It was quick and easy. I included the optional onion for additional flavor.

quant-t01

posted:11/2/2011

made this recipe with 1/2 Italian sausage and 1/2 ground beef. I also used philly Italian herb and cheese cooking cream. It was great, very yummy!!! Had leftovers so I took them to my co-workers... Had to print the recipe 6 times today. This one is a hit!!!

jmohiou

posted:11/2/2011

My husband and I loved this recipe! The only thing I changed was I used the philly GARLIC cooking creme instead of the regular.....I was worried this recipe would be bland when I saw the list of ingredients, but it has a GREAT flavor!!!

ptbabykitty

posted:11/2/2011

The entire family loved this recipe. It was easy to make and very flavorful. It is supposed to be for 6 but it was just the right size for the four in our family. I served it with a green salad.