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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ginskead

posted:12/14/2012

AWESOME! I substituted turkey for the beef, added onions, Santa Fe Cooking Creme, and 8 oz. of a 1/3 less fat creme cheese as suggested by a previous reviewer. It was quick and easy to make. Looking forward to the leftovers tonight!

loepkerd

posted:12/9/2012

Our family loved it! I used the cooking creme i had on hand which was the SANTA FE BLEND, and did add another 8 oz of 1/3 less Fat Phil Creme Cheese - LOVED IT!!!

a cook

posted:12/8/2012

This recipe was delicious! I did not do the make-ahead version. It was super easy and quick. It tastes a lot like lasagna. I used the herb cream cheese sauce as someone else recommended. Also, I used my own regular recipe for spaghetti sauce.

renees1052

posted:12/3/2012

i loved this recipe but did read other reviews first and doctored it up a bit: i added an onion to the meat when browning, added 1 lb of sweet italian sausage also. I increased the sauce to 32 ozs as well. I also used the italian herb cooking cream as suggested. We had this for dinner with friends and it has a hit all around! The recipes does go a lot further with the added sausage and sauce and there was plenty left for a leftovers dinner night for my husband, daughter and I. i will add this to my regular rotation!

ChareK

posted:12/3/2012

Family loved this even my 19 month old daughter. Made a few minor changes added more marinara sauce and cheese and added chopped onions to the meat. Making this a regular

chasity.crespo

posted:11/10/2012

I made this for my family and it was a hit!!!!!!!

luvliz2002

posted:11/8/2012

We all loved it and will make again! Used Italian Herb and Cheese Cooking Cream instead and added chopped onions to the meat. Recipe was quick, easy, and flavorful. :)

Cathyfletch

posted:11/3/2012

Very good and easy to make.

a cook

posted:10/23/2012

My very picky eater loved it!!! :)

IcePhoenix28

posted:10/23/2012

This dish is great and I look forward to making it again. Just make sure you have a large pot to coat the pasta. I made it difficult on myself by using a small bowl.