Taco Stuffed Shells: The Genius Fusion Dinner That’s Taking Over Family Night

  • Undercook the Pasta: The shells will soften further in the oven. Al dente is key to preventing mushiness.

  • Soft Cream Cheese is Crucial: Let it sit out for an hour. This ensures a smooth filling without lumps.

    Poultry

  • Use a Piping Bag or Bag Trick: For neater, faster stuffing, spoon the filling into a large zip-top bag, snip a corner, and pipe into the shells.

  • Make-Ahead Marvel: Assemble the entire casserole (unbaked) up to 24 hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate. Bake as directed, adding 10-15 minutes to the covered bake time.

  • The Shortcut: Use 2-3 cups of pre-cooked taco meat (like leftover rotisserie chicken or seasoned ground beef). Mix directly with the other filling ingredients.

5-Star Flavor Variations:

  1. Chicken Taco Style: Use shredded rotisserie chicken and a can of cream of chicken soup mixed into the filling instead of cream cheese.

  2. “Cheeseburger” Shells: Use ketchup, mustard, and pickle relish in the beef filling, and top with cheddar cheese sauce.

    Herbs & Spices

  3. Vegetarian Fiesta: Use a plant-based “ground beef” or extra beans and corn. Add sautéed zucchini or mushrooms.

  4. Spicy Southwest: Use hot taco seasoning, pepper jack cheese, and top with sliced avocado and a chipotle crema.

FAQ: Your Taco Stuffed Shells Questions, Answered

Continued on next page