Description
Creamy beef and shells bring pure comfort right to your dinner table, making weeknight meals a total breeze. Pasta shells cradle seasoned ground beef in a rich, cheesy sauce that delivers maximum satisfaction without complicated cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 8 oz shell pasta
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup beef broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 1 cup diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat at 375°F. Brown 1 lb ground beef, crumbling into small pieces for about 5-6 minutes.
- Add 1 cup diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until onions turn translucent and soft.
- Sprinkle 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp Italian seasoning over the beef mixture. Mix thoroughly to distribute seasonings evenly.
- Pour in 1 can of diced tomatoes and 1 cup beef broth. Simmer at 200°F for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld together.
- Introduce 8 oz shell pasta directly into the skillet. Cover and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring every 2-3 minutes to prevent sticking.
- Dice 4 oz cream cheese into small ½-inch cubes. Gently add cubes and ½ cup heavy cream to the skillet.
- Stir continuously for 2-3 minutes at medium heat until cream cheese completely dissolves, creating a smooth, silky sauce.
- Sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese across the top. Remove from heat and let cheese melt naturally for 1-2 minutes.
- Gently fold the melted cheese into the mixture, creating a rich and creamy texture throughout the dish.
- Allow the skillet to rest for 2-3 minutes, letting the sauce thicken and absorb remaining moisture.
Notes
- Use freshly shredded cheddar cheese for the best melting and flavor complexity.
- Let the cream cheese sit at room temperature for easier melting and smoother sauce integration.
- Choose medium or large shell pasta to help capture the rich, creamy sauce in each bite.
- For a lower-carb version, swap pasta shells with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles and reduce cooking time accordingly.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg