Description
Creamy beef and shells bring comfort right to your dinner table with a hearty pasta dish that combines ground beef and tender pasta shells in a rich, cheesy sauce. Families gather around this satisfying meal that comes together quickly and delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein:
- 8 ounces medium-sized pasta shells
- 1 pound ground beef
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ sweet onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
Liquids and Thickeners:
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef stock
- 15-ounce package tomato sauce
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups (6 ounces) extra sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil at 212°F. Cook 8 ounces of pasta shells according to package directions until al dente. Drain pasta and set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 2 minutes.
- Add 1 pound ground beef to the skillet. Break meat into small crumbles while cooking for 3-5 minutes until completely browned. Drain excess fat.
- Add ½ diced onion to the same skillet. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves and 1½ teaspoons Italian seasoning. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Sprinkle 2 tablespoons flour over the mixture. Stir continuously for 1 minute to create a light roux.
- Pour in 2 cups beef stock and 15 ounces tomato sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 6-8 minutes until sauce thickens.
- Fold in cooked pasta, browned beef, and ¾ cup heavy cream. Heat for 1-2 minutes.
- Season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste.
- Stir in 1½ cups shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese. Allow cheese to melt completely for 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
- Check pasta doneness by tasting a shell to ensure it’s perfectly al dente before draining.
- Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent excess grease from making the sauce heavy.
- Use freshly grated cheese for smoother melting and richer flavor compared to pre-shredded options.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk to reduce calories.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Beef
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 507 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg