Description
Creamy pasta shells loaded with classic Philly cheesesteak flavors bring comfort and excitement to dinner tables. Melted provolone, tender beef, and sautéed peppers make this dish an irresistible comfort classic for when you crave bold, hearty meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) lean ground beef
Vegetables:
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 small green bell pepper, diced
Pasta and Dairy:
- 24 jumbo pasta shells, cooked
- 8 ounces (227 grams) cheddar cheese, cut into small cubes (divided)
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) milk (whole recommended)
Seasonings and Sauces:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Thickener:
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Liquid:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) beef broth
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to a moderate 350°F, preparing a cast iron skillet and baking dish for the culinary adventure ahead.
- Sear the ground beef in the skillet, allowing a rich, caramelized crust to develop before breaking the meat apart. Cook until approximately half the beef displays a deep golden-brown exterior.
- Transfer the browned beef to a separate plate, preserving the flavorful drippings in the skillet. Introduce butter and sauté the diced onions and bell peppers, creating a golden-brown caramelization through strategic stirring.
- Reintroduce the beef to the skillet, incorporating ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Blend the ingredients thoroughly, then remove from heat.
- Fill cooked pasta shells generously with the savory beef mixture, strategically placing cubes of cheese within each shell, using half the cheese allocation.
- Craft a luxurious cheese sauce directly in the skillet by whisking beef broth, milk, and cornstarch. Gradually melt the remaining cheddar cheese while continuously stirring until the sauce reaches a velvety consistency.
- Arrange the stuffed shells in a baking dish, cascading half the cheese sauce around them. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and meld the flavors.
- Present the pasta shells with the remaining cheese sauce elegantly drizzled over the top, creating a decadent Philly cheesesteak-inspired masterpiece.
Notes
- Perfectly sear ground beef to develop a deep, flavorful crust that adds rich caramelized notes to the dish.
- Brown vegetables separately to create layers of complex, concentrated flavors that elevate the overall taste profile.
- Use a cast iron skillet for optimal heat distribution and to capture delicious browned bits from cooking meats and vegetables.
- Gradually whisk cheese into sauce to prevent clumping and ensure a smooth, creamy texture that coats every pasta shell.
- Pre-stuff shells with meat mixture and cheese cubes for maximum melting and flavor integration during baking.
- Allow baking time to help cheese melt completely and marry all ingredients into a cohesive, comforting meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 454
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg