Description
Creamy beef and shells will become your go-to comfort meal when craving something hearty and satisfying. Packed with tender pasta shells and seasoned ground beef, this dish delivers rich flavor in every delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Pasta and Base:
- 8 ounces shell pasta
- 1 cup cream
- 1 cup beef broth
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil 8 ounces of shell pasta in salted water for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook 1 pound ground beef for 5-7 minutes, breaking it into small crumbles.
- Reduce heat to medium and add 1 chopped onion with 2 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until onions turn translucent.
- Pour 1 cup beef broth and 1 cup heavy cream into the skillet, stirring to integrate with the beef mixture.
- Simmer the sauce for 4-5 minutes until it slightly thickens and becomes glossy.
- Fold in your drained pasta, ensuring each shell gets coated with the creamy sauce.
- Sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese over the skillet and stir until completely melted and incorporated.
- Taste the dish and season with salt and pepper according to your preference.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately while the cheese remains gooey and warm.
Notes
- Check pasta doneness early to keep shells tender and prevent overcooking.
- Choose full-fat cream for a richer, more luxurious sauce that coats the pasta beautifully.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half and lean ground beef to reduce calories.
- Fresh garlic delivers more robust flavor compared to pre-minced jarred versions, so grab a whole bulb if possible.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg