Description
Creamy Shell Pasta with Ground Beef is a hearty and comforting dish made with pasta shells, seasoned ground beef, and a rich, cheesy cream sauce—perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 12 oz medium shell pasta
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp tomato paste or 1/4 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook shell pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until soft, about 3–4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in tomato paste and Italian seasoning. Cook for 1–2 minutes until combined.
- Reduce heat to low and add heavy cream, cream cheese, and shredded cheese. Stir until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth.
- Add cooked pasta shells to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the sauce. Simmer for 2–3 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Add vegetables like peas, spinach, or mushrooms for extra nutrition.
- Add red pepper flakes for a spicy variation.
- Top with extra cheese and broil for a baked finish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 110mg