I love cooking, but I'm not into fancy gourmet foods. I think it's more challenging to make delicious, down-home foods like this beefy casserole with ingredients easily found in the refrigerator and on my pantry shelves.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 2/3 cup chopped onion
• 2 cups water
• 2 cans (6 ounces each) tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon beef bouillon granules
• 1-1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 carton (15 ounces) ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 24 jumbo pasta shells, cooked and drained

Directions

1. In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until the meat is no longer pink, breaking meat into crumbles; drain. Stir in the water, tomato paste, bouillon and oregano. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan cheese and egg. Stuff shells with the cheese mixture.
3. Arrange shells in a greased shallow 3-qt. or 13x9-in. baking dish. Spoon meat sauce over shells. Cover and bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake until cheese is melted, 3-5 minutes longer.