Tex-Mex Taco Stuffed Shells (Printable)

Spiced beef-stuffed shells with nacho cheese sauce and a crispy Doritos topping for bold Tex-Mex flavor.

# Ingredient List:

→ Shell Filling

01 - 18–20 jumbo pasta shells
02 - 14 ounces ground beef
03 - 1 small onion, chopped
04 - 1 packet taco seasoning or 2 tablespoons homemade blend
05 - 1 cup cooked black beans
06 - 1/3 cup tomato sauce

→ Nacho Cheese Sauce

07 - 2 tablespoons butter
08 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
09 - 1 cup milk
10 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar or nacho cheese blend
11 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - Salt, to taste

→ Toppings

13 - Handful of crushed Doritos
14 - Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
15 - Sliced jalapeños (optional)

# Steps:

01 - Cook jumbo pasta shells in a large pot of salted water until just al dente. Drain and arrange on a baking sheet to prevent sticking.
02 - Heat a skillet over medium heat with a splash of oil. Sauté chopped onion until translucent, then add ground beef and taco seasoning. Cook until beef is browned, stirring regularly. Incorporate black beans and tomato sauce. Simmer for five minutes to meld flavors.
03 - In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour, stirring constantly for one minute. Gradually whisk in milk until the mixture is smooth. Fold in shredded cheese, smoked paprika, and salt until sauce is creamy and cheese is melted.
04 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Fill each pasta shell with the spiced beef mixture and arrange them in a baking dish. Evenly pour nacho cheese sauce over all stuffed shells.
05 - Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil, scatter crushed Doritos on top, and bake for an additional 5 minutes to crisp the topping.
06 - Garnish with fresh cilantro and sliced jalapeños if desired. Present immediately for best texture.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Bold, flavorful twist on classic stuffed shells
  • Crowd-pleasing fusion of Tex-Mex and comfort food
02 -
  • This dish contains gluten, dairy, and corn ingredients
  • Swap in gluten-free pasta and corn chips for a GF version
03 -
  • Add corn, diced peppers, or chopped olives to the filling for extra color and flavor
  • Assemble ahead and bake just before serving for easy entertaining
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