Description
Comfort meets culinary magic in this irresistible creamy beef and shells pasta, where tender pasta shells cradle rich, seasoned ground beef in a luscious cheese sauce. Hearty and satisfying, you’ll savor each comforting bite of this classic one-pot wonder that promises pure deliciousness.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound ground beef
Main Carbohydrates:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) medium pasta shells
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 small sweet onion, finely diced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Dairy:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup beef stock
- 1 (15-ounce) can marinara sauce
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup sour cream
Thickeners and Cheese:
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups freshly grated cheddar cheese
Seasonings:
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare a generously salted water bath in a large pot and submerge pasta shells, cooking until they reach a perfect al dente texture. Remove and reserve.
- Activate a skillet with olive oil over robust heat, introducing ground beef and transforming it into golden, crumbled morsels. Eliminate excess fat and temporarily relocate protein.
- Utilize the same skillet to caramelize diced onions until translucent, then introduce minced garlic, releasing its aromatic essence briefly.
- Dust the aromatic vegetable base with flour, whisking continuously to create a delicate golden roux that will anchor the sauce’s luxurious consistency.
- Methodically incorporate beef stock, ensuring silky smoothness, then integrate marinara, herbaceous seasonings like Italian blend, parsley, oregano, and smoky paprika.
- Allow the liquid mixture to reach a gentle bubble, then reduce to a contemplative simmer, allowing flavors to harmonize and sauce to slightly condense.
- Reunite cooked pasta and browned beef within the skillet, choreographing a thorough sauce coating.
- Stream heavy cream into the mixture, warming gently, then calibrate seasoning with salt and pepper. Fold in sour cream to amplify richness.
- Introduce grated cheddar, stirring until completely dissolved and creating a velvety, cohesive sauce.
- Transfer immediately to serving dishes, optionally embellishing with fresh parsley for a vibrant finishing touch.
Notes
- Opt for lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier version of this comforting dish.
- Toast the flour slightly longer to develop a deeper, nuttier flavor profile in the sauce.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like sharp cheddar, monterey jack, or even pepper jack for varied taste experiences.
- Consider using gluten-free shells and a cornstarch slurry instead of flour for a celiac-friendly adaptation of the recipe.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg