Description
Comforting Creamy Beef and Shells pasta delivers rich flavors combining tender ground beef with al dente pasta shells in a luscious cheese sauce. Hearty meal satisfies hunger with classic American comfort ingredients perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450 g) ground beef
- 8 ounces (225 g) medium pasta shells
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (120 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz/425 g) tomato sauce
- 1 cup (240 ml) beef broth
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water in a large pot and cook pasta shells until perfectly al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Meat Browning: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Crumble ground beef, cooking until deep golden and fully caramelized. Drain excess fat.
- Aromatic Infusion: Sauté onions until translucent, then add garlic. Allow aromatics to release their intense flavors and meld with the browned meat.
- Sauce Development: Introduce tomato sauce, beef broth, and seasonings. Simmer the mixture, allowing flavors to intensify and create a rich, robust foundation.
- Cheese Integration: Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream, then gradually fold in cheddar and Parmesan cheeses until a silky, uniform sauce forms.
- Final Combination: Gently fold cooked pasta shells into the creamy sauce, ensuring each shell is completely coated. Warm through for 2-3 minutes to marry flavors.
- Finishing Touch: Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with additional Parmesan or fresh parsley for an elegant presentation and burst of flavor.
Notes
- Choose High-Quality Meat: Select lean ground beef with 80/20 fat ratio for optimal flavor and texture without excessive greasiness.
- Control Pasta Cooking: Slightly undercook shells by 1-2 minutes during initial boiling to prevent mushiness when combined with sauce later.
- Manage Cheese Melting: Remove skillet from direct heat when adding cheese to prevent separation and ensure smooth, creamy consistency.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based alternatives for lower-fat or vegetarian versions, adjusting seasoning accordingly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg