Description
Creamy beef and shells elevate comfort food with rich, cheesy goodness that promises pure satisfaction. Hearty pasta shells cradle seasoned ground beef in a luscious sauce, delivering a quick and irresistible meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb shell pasta
Dairy:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cream cheese
Seasonings and Extras:
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then brown ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles until no pink remains, approximately 6-7 minutes.
- Mince garlic and add to the beef, sautéing for an additional 30 seconds to release aromatic flavors.
- Sprinkle dried oregano, salt, and black pepper into the meat mixture, stirring to distribute seasonings evenly.
- Cook shell pasta in a separate pot according to package instructions until al dente, then drain while reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Lower skillet heat to medium-low and incorporate heavy cream, stirring continuously to create a smooth sauce.
- Add cream cheese to the skillet, whisking until completely melted and integrated with the beef mixture.
- Gradually fold in shredded cheddar cheese, allowing it to melt smoothly and create a rich, creamy consistency.
- Combine cooked pasta with the beef and cheese sauce, using reserved pasta water if needed to adjust sauce thickness.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, ensuring even distribution across the dish.
- Let the mixture rest for 2-3 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving hot.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef (90/10) to reduce excess grease while maintaining rich flavor.
- Reserve pasta water strategically, as it contains starch that helps sauce cling perfectly to shells.
- Grate fresh cheese instead of pre-shredded for superior melting and more authentic texture.
- Experiment with protein alternatives like ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for dietary flexibility.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 707
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 752mg
- Fat: 41g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 130mg