Description
Homemade creamy beef and shells pasta delivers comforting flavors perfect for family dinners. Melted cheese, rich ground beef, and tender pasta shells create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
Pasta:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) medium pasta shells
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce and Dairy:
- 1 can (15 ounces/425 grams) tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Cook pasta shells until tender yet firm, approximately 8-9 minutes. Carefully drain and reserve.
- Position a skillet over medium heat and drizzle with olive oil. Introduce ground beef and diced onions, breaking meat into crumbly fragments while sautéing for 6-7 minutes until deep brown coloration develops.
- Eliminate excess grease from skillet. Incorporate minced garlic, paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Sauté aromatics for 1-2 minutes, releasing robust fragrance.
- Pour tomato sauce and beef broth into the skillet. Reduce temperature and allow mixture to gently simmer, thickening for approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Stream heavy cream into the sauce, whisking continuously. Gradually fold shredded cheddar cheese until sauce transforms into a luxurious, velvety consistency. Continue simmering for 2-3 minutes.
- Fold cooked pasta shells into the creamy beef sauce, ensuring each shell becomes thoroughly coated with the rich, savory mixture.
- Transfer to serving dishes, optionally garnishing with freshly chopped parsley. Serve piping hot alongside complementary side dishes.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat for a lighter, healthier alternative that still delivers incredible flavor and protein.
- Reduce sodium by using low-sodium beef broth and controlling salt amounts during seasoning, perfect for those watching their salt intake.
- Enhance meal prep by preparing sauce and beef mixture ahead of time, storing separately in refrigerator for up to 3 days, ensuring quick weeknight dinners.
- Create a gluten-free version by using gluten-free pasta shells and checking that broth and seasonings are certified gluten-free, accommodating dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg