Description
Comfort meets indulgence in this creamy beef and shells pasta, where rich ground beef embraces tender pasta shells in a velvety sauce. Quick, hearty, and irresistibly satisfying, you’ll savor every cheesy, meaty bite of this classic home-style dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound small pasta shells
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 (14.5 ounces) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (10 ounces) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a spacious skillet, warm olive oil over medium-high heat and thoroughly brown the ground beef, fragmenting it with a utensil until no pink remains.
- Introduce finely chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing for approximately 4-5 minutes until vegetables become translucent and fragrant.
- Pour in diced tomatoes, cream of mushroom soup, and milk, blending with dried parsley, oregano, and freshly cracked black pepper. Reduce heat and allow mixture to gently simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring intermittently.
- Fold shell pasta directly into the simmering sauce, ensuring each shell is submerged. Cook for 8-9 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and promote even cooking.
- Gradually sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the surface, gently folding until cheese melts completely and creates a luxurious, creamy texture throughout the dish.
- Remove from heat and let stand for 2-3 minutes to allow sauce to thicken slightly. Serve immediately while piping hot for optimal flavor and consistency.
Notes
- Customize meat selection by using lean ground turkey or chicken for a lighter protein option that maintains the dish’s creamy texture.
- Create a gluten-free version by substituting regular pasta shells with gluten-free pasta shells and using a gluten-free cream of mushroom soup.
- Enhance nutritional value by adding extra vegetables like diced bell peppers or spinach during the sautéing stage for added nutrients and color.
- Prevent pasta from becoming mushy by slightly undercooking shells before adding them to the skillet, allowing them to finish cooking in the sauce while absorbing maximum flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 433 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 660 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg