Description
Comfort meets culinary delight in this hearty Creamy Beef and Shells pasta dish, blending rich flavors with pasta perfection. Cheesy, savory goodness awaits when you dive into this irresistible meal that promises warmth and satisfaction in every single bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Meat:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 6 ounces extra sharp cheddar cheese
Pasta and Liquid Base:
- 8 ounces medium pasta shells
- 2 cups beef stock
- 15-ounce can tomato sauce
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1.5 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare pasta shells in a large pot of salted, boiling water until al dente. Follow package instructions carefully to maintain proper texture. Drain and reserve.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, breaking into crumbles while cooking for 3-5 minutes. Brown thoroughly, then drain excess fat to prevent greasiness.
- Incorporate diced onions into the skillet, sautéing until translucent. Add garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, and mustard powder. Toast spices for approximately one minute to intensify their aromatic qualities.
- Dust flour over the beef mixture, stirring to prevent clumping. Gradually introduce beef stock and tomato sauce, whisking continuously. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for 6-8 minutes, allowing sauce to thicken and develop depth.
- Fold in cooked pasta shells and heavy cream. Stir to integrate flavors and heat thoroughly for about 2 minutes, ensuring even distribution of sauce.
- Reduce heat to low and gently melt extra sharp cheddar cheese into the mixture. Stir until sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately, optionally garnishing with fresh herbs for added brightness.
Notes
- Perfectly time your pasta cooking to achieve the ideal al dente texture, preventing a mushy final dish.
- Use high-fat ground beef for extra richness, or swap with lean ground turkey for a lighter version.
- Drain beef fat thoroughly to reduce greasiness and create a cleaner, more concentrated flavor profile.
- Customize spice levels by adjusting Italian seasoning and adding red pepper flakes for heat lovers.
- Prevent sauce separation by slowly incorporating cream and cheese at a low, steady temperature.
- Make the recipe gluten-free by using cornstarch instead of flour and gluten-free pasta shells.
- Enhance meal prep by preparing the beef mixture ahead of time and refrigerating for quick weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg