Description
Hearty Beef and Shells delivers comfort in every cheesy, creamy bite, blending tender pasta shells with rich ground beef. Savory seasonings and melted cheese create a quick family favorite that satisfies hunger and warms hearts.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
Pasta and Sauce:
- 8 ounces medium uncooked pasta shells
- 1 (14-ounce) can tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- 1/3 cup beef broth
- 1/4 cup heavy/whipping cream
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water, generously salt, and bring to a rolling boil. Cook pasta shells until tender yet firm, approximately 8-9 minutes. Drain completely and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium temperature. Introduce chopped onions and sauté until translucent and slightly caramelized, roughly 4-5 minutes.
- Incorporate ground beef into the skillet, breaking meat into small crumbles. Cook for 5-6 minutes until fully browned and no pink remains. Carefully drain excess fat if necessary.
- Add minced garlic and chili powder, stirring quickly to prevent burning. Allow aromatics to release their fragrant essence for 30-45 seconds.
- Pour tomato sauce and beef broth into the skillet. Reduce heat and allow mixture to simmer, creating a rich, concentrated sauce. Stir periodically and let reduce for 4-5 minutes.
- Gently fold heavy cream into the sauce, creating a luxurious texture. Warm through for 1-2 minutes and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Combine pasta shells with the creamy beef sauce, ensuring each shell is generously coated. Serve immediately while the dish maintains its velvety consistency and warmth.
Notes
- Drain pasta thoroughly to prevent watery sauce, shaking the colander gently to remove excess moisture.
- Pat ground beef dry before cooking to achieve better browning and deeper flavor development.
- Use full-fat cream for maximum richness, but low-fat alternatives work for lighter versions.
- Consider adding fresh herbs like parsley or basil as a final garnish for brightness and extra flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 475
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg