Description
Hearty creamy beef and shells delivers comfort on a plate with rich, cheesy pasta. Home cooks can quickly prepare this satisfying meal that combines ground beef, tender shells, and a velvety sauce you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 8 oz medium pasta shells
- 15 oz marinara sauce
- 1 cup beef stock
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups freshly grated cheddar cheese
- 1 small sweet onion (finely diced)
- 5 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- kosher salt (to taste)
- freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Bring a generously salted water to rolling boil in large pot. Cook pasta shells according to package directions until al dente, then thoroughly drain and reserve.
- Heat olive oil in spacious skillet over medium-high temperature. Introduce ground beef, breaking into crumbles while cooking until rich brown color develops, approximately 4 minutes. Eliminate excess grease after cooking.
- Within identical skillet, sauté diced onions for 2 minutes, stirring consistently. Introduce minced garlic and cook until aromatic, roughly 45 seconds.
- Dust flour across skillet surface, whisking continuously for 60 seconds to create light golden roux. This technique establishes sauce foundation.
- Gradually stream beef stock into skillet, integrating smoothly. Incorporate marinara sauce and traditional Italian herb blend – including dried parsley, oregano, and paprika. Blend thoroughly.
- Elevate mixture to gentle boil, then reduce heat. Simmer sauce for 7-8 minutes, allowing natural reduction and slight thickening. Stir periodically during this process.
- Merge cooked pasta and reserved beef into sauce, ensuring comprehensive coating and distribution throughout mixture.
- Introduce heavy cream and warm for 1-2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper according to taste preferences. Fold in sour cream, creating luxurious texture.
- Sprinkle grated cheddar cheese across surface. Allow cheese to melt completely, stirring gently for uniform integration, approximately 2 minutes.
- Transfer immediately to serving dishes. Optional: Garnish with fresh parsley for vibrant presentation.
Notes
- Choose medium or large shells to hold the creamy sauce effectively, ensuring each bite delivers maximum flavor.
- Drain beef thoroughly to prevent excess grease, creating a cleaner and lighter dish without compromising richness.
- Temper heavy cream slowly to prevent curdling by adding it gradually and maintaining a consistent medium heat.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey for a leaner option or use plant-based meat alternatives for vegetarian adaptation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 750 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 48 g
- Saturated Fat: 21 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg