Description
Comfort meets convenience in this one pot cheesy beef and shells recipe, where hearty pasta shells dance with seasoned ground beef in a creamy, melted cheese embrace. Hungry families will devour this simple skillet meal that delivers maximum flavor with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
- 2 cups uncooked medium pasta shells
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 can (15 ounces / 15 oz) tomato sauce
- ½ cup heavy cream or milk
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon (1 tbsp) olive oil
- 1 teaspoon (1 tsp) Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon (½ tsp) paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Sauté Protein: In a large pot, warm olive oil and introduce ground beef with diced onions, seasoning generously with salt and pepper. Cook until meat browns and onions become translucent, eliminating any excess grease.
- Aromatic Enhancement: Incorporate minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and paprika, allowing the spices to bloom and release their intense flavors for approximately one minute.
- Liquid Integration: Pour beef broth and tomato sauce over the meat mixture, then nestle pasta shells into the liquid. Ensure shells are fully submerged and evenly distributed.
- Cooking Fusion: Elevate heat to trigger boiling, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and let ingredients meld together, stirring periodically, until pasta reaches perfect al dente texture (12-15 minutes).
- Creamy Transformation: Stream heavy cream into the pot and sprinkle shredded cheeses, stirring continuously until a luxurious, smooth sauce develops and cheese completely dissolves.
- Final Refinement: Assess seasoning, adjusting with additional salt and pepper as needed. Delicately garnish with fresh chopped parsley for a vibrant finish and serve piping hot directly from the cooking vessel.
Notes
- Remove excess grease after browning beef to prevent a greasy dish and ensure a cleaner, more appetizing texture.
- Stir occasionally during simmering to prevent shells from sticking and ensure even cooking throughout the pot.
- Add cheeses off the heat and stir gently to create a smooth, creamy sauce without breaking or becoming grainy.
- Adjust seasonings like paprika or add red pepper flakes for those who enjoy more spice in their one-pot meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg