Description
This creamy beef and shells recipe is a comforting and cheesy pasta dish made with tender pasta shells, savory ground beef, and a creamy sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it's a perfect family meal that's rich in flavor and easy to make. Topped with melted cheddar cheese, this quick and hearty dish will quickly become a family favorite!
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces medium pasta shells
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small sweet onion, diced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup beef stock
- 1 (15 oz) can marinara sauce
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup sour cream
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, freshly grated
Instructions
Instructions:
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions in a large pot of salted water. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes. Drain excess fat.
- In the same skillet, sauté the diced onion for 2 minutes, then add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute until lightly browned.
- Gradually whisk in the beef stock, then stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, parsley, oregano, and smoked paprika. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 6-8 minutes until thickened.
- Stir in the cooked pasta and browned beef. Add heavy cream and cook for 1-2 minutes until heated through.
- Stir in sour cream and fold in the grated cheddar cheese until melted.
- Serve immediately, garnished with parsley if desired.
Notes
- For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
- Use gluten-free pasta and flour for a gluten-free version.
- If you prefer a leaner option, ground turkey or chicken can replace the beef.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American