Description
Comforting creamy beef and shells pasta delivers a hearty Italian-American classic with rich, cheesy goodness. Melted cheese, ground beef, and perfectly cooked pasta shells combine into a satisfying meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1 pound ground beef
Pasta:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) medium pasta shells
Sauce and Dairy:
- 1.5 cups marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup beef broth
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Boil pasta shells in salted water until al dente, then thoroughly drain and reserve.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high flame and crumble ground beef, cooking until deeply browned and no pink remains.
- Eliminate excess grease from the pan, then introduce finely chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent.
- Pour marinara sauce, rich beef broth, and velvety heavy cream into the skillet, creating a luxurious base that gently simmers.
- Fold cooked pasta shells into the creamy mixture, ensuring each shell is lavishly coated with the sauce.
- Sprinkle sharp cheddar cheese throughout the skillet, stirring continuously until the cheese melts completely and the sauce transforms into a thick, glossy coating.
- Taste the dish and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Finish by scattering freshly chopped parsley across the top for a vibrant touch of color and herbaceous note.
- Serve immediately while the creamy beef and shells are piping hot and at their most appetizing.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and create a lighter dish.
- Reserve some pasta water to help adjust sauce consistency if needed.
- Experiment with different cheese blends like mozzarella or pepper jack for varied flavor profiles.
- For a low-carb version, swap pasta shells with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles to reduce carbohydrate content.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg