Description
A comforting one-pot meal featuring tender ground beef, pasta shells, and a velvety cheese sauce that comes together in just 30 minutes. This family-friendly dish is like homemade Hamburger Helper—only better!
Ingredients
- 8 ounces medium pasta shells
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1/2 medium sweet onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef stock
- 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 6 ounces shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese (about 1 1/2 cups)
Instructions
Brown Beef: Heat oil in large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high. Cook beef with onion until no pink remains (5-6 mins). Drain excess fat.,Add Aromatics: Stir in garlic and seasonings. Cook 1 minute until fragrant.,Cook Pasta: Add uncooked shells, broth, and water. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer 12-14 mins, stirring occasionally.,Make Sauce: Remove from heat. Stir in all cheeses and cream until melted and creamy.,Adjust Consistency: If needed, add warm water 1 tbsp at a time until desired sauciness.,Serve: Garnish with parsley and red pepper flakes. Let stand 5 mins before serving (sauce will thicken).
Notes
Shortcut: Use pre-shredded cheese blend,Vegetable Boost: Add spinach or peas last 2 mins of cooking,Make Ahead: Reheats well with splash of milk,Spice It Up: Add ½ tsp cayenne with seasonings,Storage: Keeps refrigerated 3 days
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-Pot
- Cuisine: American Comfort
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: undefined
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 95mg