Easy Air Fryer Taco Stuffed Shells
Air Fryer Taco Stuffed Shells are crispy, cheesy, and loaded with seasoned taco meat inside jumbo pasta shells. This easy air fryer dinner is perfect for taco night, game day, or whenever you want a fun comfort food recipe the whole family will love.
Ingredients
- 1 Box Jumbo Pasta Shells I used Barilla brand. Feel free to make half a box (about 20 jumbo shells)
- 1 pound Ground beef chicken or turkey
- 1 Medium onion Yellow or sweet. finely chopped
- 1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive oil or Avocado oil
- 2 Tablespoons Taco Seasoning Follow directions on a package. My taco seasoning pack said to add 2 tablespoons per 1 pound of ground beef.
- 2 Oz Cream cheese or Ricotta cheese
- 1 cup Shredded cheese of choice. I used a mix of Mozzarella and Cheddar. 1 cup of shredded cheese equals about 110 grams.
- spray oil
Instructions
- Cook the pasta shells. Begin by boiling the jumbo pasta shells according to the package instructions. Drain and set them aside to cool slightly. This step is crucial because overcooked shells can fall apart when you try to stuff them. Aim for al dente (about 10 minutes), as they'll cook further in the air fryer.
- Make the Taco Filling. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the taco filling. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add a tablespoon of olive oil and chopped onions. Cook until soft and translucent, About 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can Cook Onion in the Air fryer. Then add ground beef or turkey, using a wooden spatula to break it up, and cook until browned. Add taco seasoning and follow the package instructions for adding water. Allow the mixture to simmer until well combined and thickened.
- Assemble the stuffed shells. Fill each cooked shell with a tablespoon of the meat mixture followed by a small dollop of cream cheese (or Ricotta cheese). Place the stuffed shells into a baking dish or directly into your air fryer basket. You can line it with parchment paper for an easy clean-up. Top each shell with the shredded cheese of choice. Here I used a mix of Mozzarella and cheddar.
- Preheat the air fryer: While you assemble the shells, preheat your air fryer at 350°F (180°C). Cook on the air fry setting for 8-10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Feel free to customize this recipe by adding any additional toppings you desire before serving.
- Serve. Once your air fryer taco stuffed shells are done cooking, carefully remove them from the air fryer basket using tongs or a spatula. Let them cool for 3 minutes and serve with your favorite toppings such as diced tomatoes, avocado slices, sour cream, or hot sauce. I chose to dip them in my favorite Homemade Chipotle Mayo. These stuffed shells make for a delicious and satisfying meal which is perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings with friends and family.
Notes
- Do not overcook the pasta shells or they may tear while stuffing.
- Spray the air fryer basket lightly with oil to help prevent sticking.
- Freshly shredded cheese melts better than pre-shredded cheese.
- Want crispier edges? Air fry for an extra 1–2 minutes.
- Ground turkey or shredded chicken also work well in this recipe.
- Serve with salsa, sour cream, avocado, or chipotle sauce for extra flavor.
Nutrition
Serving: 1pieceCalories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 6gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 80mgPotassium: 85mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 99IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 38mgIron: 1mg
Nutrition Disclaimer Nutritional information is an estimate and may change based on products used.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!