Description
This comforting beef and shells recipe combines hearty ground beef with creamy pasta shells in a rich tomato sauce. Savory seasonings and melted cheese create a satisfying meal perfect for family dinners you will crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) lean ground beef
- 8 oz (226 g) medium uncooked shells
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 (14 oz/397 g) can tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- ⅓ cup beef broth
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ½ medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Bring salted water to a vigorous boil in a large pot, submerge shell pasta, and cook until perfectly al dente, maintaining a slight bite to the texture.
- Aromatic Foundation: Heat olive oil in a heavy skillet, sauté finely chopped onions until translucent and fragrant, creating a flavor-rich base for the dish.
- Meat Transformation: Introduce ground beef to the skillet, methodically crumble and brown until completely cooked, eliminating any trace of pink while carefully managing excess fat drainage.
- Flavor Acceleration: Incorporate minced garlic and chili powder into the meat mixture, then introduce tomato sauce and beef broth, developing a robust and complex sauce profile.
- Sauce Refinement: Reduce heat and allow the sauce to gently simmer, concentrating flavors and achieving a slightly thickened consistency that clings perfectly to the pasta shells.
- Creamy Finale: Blend heavy cream into the sauce, creating a luxurious texture and seasoning with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to elevate the overall taste experience.
- Harmonious Combination: Thoroughly drain the cooked pasta shells and fold them into the beef sauce, ensuring each shell is completely enveloped in the creamy, spiced mixture, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.
- Presentation: Plate the dish with an artistic touch, optionally garnishing with fresh herbs or a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese, serving immediately to preserve the optimal temperature and flavor profile.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection: Cook shells al dente to maintain a slightly firm texture that prevents mushiness when mixed with sauce.
- Fat Management: Drain excess beef fat thoroughly to prevent greasy, heavy dish and ensure clean, rich meat flavor.
- Simmering Secret: Allow sauce to reduce slowly, letting spices and liquids concentrate for deeper, more complex taste profile.
- Cream Caution: Add heavy cream off direct high heat to prevent separation and maintain smooth, silky sauce consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 455
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg