Description
Creamy beef and shells pasta promises comfort with hearty ground beef and tender pasta shells. Cheesy, rich sauce coats each bite, delivering classic home-style satisfaction you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
Pasta:
- 8 ounces medium pasta shells
Dairy and Cheese:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
Sauces and Liquids:
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
Oils and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional)
Garnish:
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Boil pasta shells in salted water according to package instructions until al dente, then drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, sauté diced onions and minced garlic until translucent and fragrant, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Add ground beef to the skillet, seasoning with salt, pepper, and paprika. Break meat into small crumbles and cook until completely browned and no pink remains, around 6-7 minutes.
- Carefully drain any accumulated fat from the meat, then pour in marinara sauce and beef broth, allowing the mixture to simmer and develop flavors for 4-5 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low, slowly incorporate heavy cream, stirring continuously to create a smooth, integrated sauce.
- Gently fold in cooked pasta shells, ensuring each shell is evenly coated with the creamy sauce.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the mixture, stirring until cheese melts completely and creates a rich, velvety consistency.
- Finish the dish by garnishing with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
- Choose medium-sized pasta shells to ensure they capture the creamy sauce perfectly in their curves.
- Drain pasta slightly before it reaches al dente since it will continue cooking in the sauce, preventing mushiness.
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a cleaner, more concentrated flavor profile.
- Consider swapping heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half for a lighter, lower-calorie version that still maintains richness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 494 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg