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Beef and Shells

Beef and Shells: Creamy Comfort Food in Just 30 Minutes

Creamy Beef and Shells combines savory ground beef and al dente pasta in a delicious cheesy sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Comfort Food
Calories: 600
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 ounces Medium Pasta Shells Consider gluten-free or whole wheat options.
For the Beef Mixture
  • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil Vegetable oil is a substitute.
  • 1 pound Ground Beef Or ground turkey or sausage.
  • 1 medium Sweet Onion Yellow onion or shallots can be used.
  • 3 cloves Garlic Fresh is ideal, but powdered can work.
  • 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning Substitute with dried basil, oregano, and thyme if needed.
For the Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour Substitute with gluten-free flour if necessary.
  • 2 cups Beef Stock Chicken or vegetable broth can be used.
  • 1 cup Marinara Sauce Homemade or creamy vodka sauce are alternatives.
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream Opt for half-and-half or milk-cream blend as lighter options.
  • 1/2 cup Sour Cream Greek yogurt is a good substitution.
  • to taste Kosher Salt
  • to taste Black Pepper
For the Final Touch
  • 1 cup Cheddar Cheese Monterey jack or pepper jack can be substituted.
  • 1 tablespoon Dried Parsley Can be omitted if not available.
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano Can double the Italian seasoning instead.
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika Regular paprika is a suitable alternative.

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • large skillet
  • spatula
  • Whisk

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions for Beef and Shells
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, then add the medium pasta shells. Cook until just under al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, heat a splash of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes. Drain excess fat.
  3. In the same skillet, add the diced sweet onion and cook until translucent, about 2 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute.
  4. Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the sautéed aromatics, whisking constantly for about 1 minute. Gradually pour in beef stock and marinara sauce while stirring. Add Italian seasoning and bring to a boil.
  5. Once the sauce has thickened, stir in the cooked pasta shells and browned ground beef. Add heavy cream and mix until warmed through. Season with salt and pepper, then fold in sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese.
  6. Serve the beef and shells hot, garnished with dried parsley.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 30gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 300mgIron: 3mg

Notes

For best results, cook shells slightly under al dente, choose flavorful ground beef, and let the sauce simmer longer for thickness.

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