Description
Comfort meets culinary magic in this Cheesy Beef & Shells recipe, blending rich ground beef with creamy pasta shells. Melted cheese and hearty flavors create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Pasta and Cheese:
- 8 ounces (227 grams) small pasta shells
- 2 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup heavy cream
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 can (8 ounces/227 grams) tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Fire up a skillet and brown the ground beef over medium heat until it loses its raw pink color, then transfer to a separate container.
- Using the same skillet, sauté diced onions until they turn translucent and release their aromatic essence, then introduce minced garlic and cook briefly.
- Dust the onion and garlic mixture with flour, creating a light coating that will help thicken the sauce, then gradually stream in beef broth while whisking continuously to prevent lumps.
- Elevate the heat and allow the liquid to bubble vigorously, which helps develop deeper flavor and smooth consistency.
- Incorporate tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, and sea salt, then fold in pasta shells, ensuring each shell gets coated with the rich, fragrant sauce.
- Reduce heat, cover the skillet, and let the pasta simmer until it reaches perfect tenderness, absorbing the robust flavors.
- Lower the temperature and introduce cheese and heavy cream, stirring gently until they meld into a silky, luxurious sauce.
- Reintroduce the reserved beef into the creamy shell mixture, folding delicately to maintain the meat’s texture and distribute it evenly.
- Allow the dish to rest momentarily, letting the flavors harmonize before serving this comforting, cheesy creation piping hot.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier version of this comforting dish.
- Opt for whole wheat pasta shells to increase fiber and nutritional value for a more balanced meal.
- Test pasta doneness by tasting a shell during simmering to prevent overcooking and maintain perfect texture.
- Consider swapping heavy cream with Greek yogurt or milk for a lighter alternative that still provides creamy richness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg