Description
Creamy beef and shells recipe delivers ultimate comfort on a plate, blending hearty ground beef with tender pasta shells. Cheesy, rich flavors meld perfectly for a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
Pasta:
- 1 pound medium shell pasta
Aromatics and Vegetables:
- 1 medium onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce and Cheese Components:
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese (grated)
Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Boil shell pasta in salted water for 8-9 minutes until perfectly tender, then drain and reserve.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature, sautéing diced onions and minced garlic until translucent and fragrant.
- Introduce ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into fine crumbles while cooking until rich brown and completely cooked through.
- Eliminate excess grease from the meat, then incorporate tomato paste and aromatic spices, stirring continuously for 2 minutes to develop deep flavor profiles.
- Stream beef broth into the skillet, allowing the mixture to gently simmer and reduce for approximately 5 minutes, creating a concentrated sauce.
- Reduce heat to low, introducing heavy cream and gradually melting shredded cheddar and Parmesan cheeses until the sauce transforms into a velvety, uniform consistency.
- Fold cooked pasta shells into the creamy sauce, ensuring each shell is luxuriously coated with the rich, cheesy mixture.
- Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley across the top for a vibrant finish, then serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Rinse pasta shells briefly in cold water after draining to prevent sticking and maintain their perfect texture.
- Use lean ground beef (90/10) to reduce excess grease while keeping the dish flavorful and less fatty.
- Grate cheese fresh for maximum melting potential and richer, more complex flavor compared to pre-shredded varieties.
- Allow the dish to rest for 2-3 minutes after cooking to help the sauce thicken and settle, creating a more cohesive meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg