Description
Pasta Beef and Shells is a hearty, family-favorite comfort dish made with tender pasta shells, seasoned ground beef, and a creamy, cheesy tomato sauce — simple, delicious, and perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces medium pasta shells
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (or a mix of cheddar and mozzarella)
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook pasta shells according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil and ground beef. Cook until browned, about 5–6 minutes, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.
- Add diced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5–7 minutes to blend flavors.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in heavy cream. Add cooked pasta shells and toss to coat evenly in the sauce.
- Stir in cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Sprinkle with Parmesan and simmer for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, add 2 ounces of cream cheese to the sauce before mixing in the pasta.
- Use ground turkey or Italian sausage as a substitute for beef.
- This dish pairs perfectly with garlic bread and a side salad.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American / Italian