Description
Comfort meets culinary delight in this creamy beef and shells pasta, blending rich ground beef with tender pasta shells in a luscious sauce. Cheesy, hearty, and irresistibly smooth, you’ll savor each delectable bite of this classic family-favorite dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef (85/15 lean)
- 1 cup beef broth
Pasta and Sauce Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) small pasta shells
- 1 (15 ounces) can tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
Seasonings and Cheese:
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Optional Toppings:
- Fresh parsley (chopped)
- Red pepper flakes
- Extra grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Boil pasta shells in salted water for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve.
- Sauté finely chopped onions and minced garlic in olive oil over medium heat until translucent, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking into small crumbles and cooking until completely browned and no pink remains, about 6-7 minutes.
- Eliminate excess grease by carefully draining fat from the meat.
- Pour marinara sauce, beef broth, and heavy cream into the skillet, creating a rich sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld together.
- Reduce heat to low and gradually incorporate shredded cheddar cheese, stirring continuously until cheese melts smoothly and sauce becomes velvety.
- Gently fold cooked pasta shells into the creamy sauce, ensuring each shell is evenly coated.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Optional: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top for added color and herbaceous notes.
- Serve immediately while hot, delivering a comforting and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Perfectly cook pasta al dente by checking texture 1-2 minutes before package instructions to prevent mushy shells.
- Drain excess beef fat thoroughly to reduce greasiness and create a cleaner, lighter sauce texture.
- Try cheese varieties like smoked gouda or pepper jack for unique flavor profiles that elevate the classic recipe.
- Reduce carbohydrates by substituting pasta shells with cauliflower or zucchini noodles for a low-carb alternative that maintains creamy richness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 635 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg