Description
Creamy beef and shells pasta elevates comfort food with rich, hearty flavors from classic Italian-American cuisine. Hearty ground beef and tender pasta shells combine in a cheesy sauce that will satisfy hungry diners craving a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cups pasta shells
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil pasta shells in salted water for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve.
- Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, sauté diced onions until translucent and soft, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Introduce minced garlic and ground beef to the skillet, breaking meat into small crumbles while cooking until completely browned and no pink remains, around 6-7 minutes.
- Pour tomato sauce into the meat mixture, blend in heavy cream and Italian seasoning, allowing the sauce to gently simmer and develop flavors for 4-5 minutes.
- Fold cooked pasta shells into the creamy meat sauce, gradually sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and stir continuously until cheese melts completely and creates a smooth, velvety consistency.
- Taste the dish and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.
- Transfer to serving plates immediately while hot, ensuring each portion has an even distribution of meat, shells, and creamy sauce.
Notes
- Choose medium-sized pasta shells for the best sauce-to-pasta ratio, ensuring each bite is perfectly coated.
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease while maintaining rich flavor and creamy texture.
- Consider swapping heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half for a lighter, lower-calorie version that still maintains creaminess.
- Try different cheese blends like mozzarella or pepper jack to customize the dish’s flavor profile and add exciting depth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 570 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg