Description
Homemade creamy beef and shells pasta delivers comfort food magic with rich, cheesy goodness. Hearty protein and tender pasta shells combine for a satisfying meal perfect for family dinner nights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (120 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 oz (225 g) medium pasta shells
- 1 cup (240 ml) beef broth
- 1 can (15 oz/425 g) tomato sauce
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Bring a large pot of salted water to a vigorous boil. Cook pasta shells until al dente, then drain and set aside, preserving their perfect texture.
- Meat Transformation: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown ground beef thoroughly, breaking it into fine crumbles and eliminating excess grease, creating a rich, caramelized foundation.
- Aromatic Infusion: Add onions and garlic to the beef, sautéing until they release their fragrant essence and become translucent, intensifying the dish’s depth of flavor.
- Flavor Building: Introduce tomato sauce, beef broth, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer the mixture, allowing the ingredients to meld and develop a robust, harmonious sauce.
- Creamy Integration: Reduce heat and incorporate heavy cream, then gradually whisk in cheddar and Parmesan cheeses until a smooth, luxurious sauce forms, creating a velvety texture.
- Final Fusion: Gently fold cooked pasta shells into the creamy beef mixture, ensuring each shell is completely enrobed. Warm through to marry all flavors and create a cohesive, indulgent dish.
- Finishing Touch: Adjust seasoning to taste, garnish with a sprinkle of additional Parmesan or fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Select Pasta Texture: Cook shells just shy of package instructions for al dente perfection, ensuring they’ll absorb sauce without becoming mushy.
- Control Meat Browning: Use high heat and avoid overcrowding the skillet to achieve deep caramelization, developing rich flavor complexity without steaming the beef.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Remove skillet from direct heat when adding cream and cheese, preventing potential sauce separation and maintaining smooth, creamy consistency.
- Fat Management: Drain excess beef fat thoroughly to prevent greasy texture and maintain clean, balanced flavor profile in the final dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 635
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg