Cheesy Beef and Shells
Ingredients
- 8 ounces medium pasta shells
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
I like ground sirloin
- ½ medium yellow onion
diced
- 3 cloves garlic
minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard
- ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
I use Diamond Crystal
- just a pinch, more or less to taste⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups beef stock
- 1 can fire roasted crushed tomatoes
15-oz.
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
room temp
- 2 cups grated extra sharp/sharp cheddar cheese
- Grated parmesan cheese for serving
optional
Directions
- 1
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add a generous few pinches of salt and cook pasta shells according to package instructions, about 11 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- 2
Meanwhile, heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and brown, stir and crumble about 4 or 5 minutes. Add onion to the beef and cook another 2 to 3 minutes until onions are translucent.
- 3
Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, dry mustard, crushed red pepper, salt and Worcestershire and continue cooking until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- 4
Sprinkle with flour, stir to incorporate and cook off the flour taste, 1 to 2 minutes.
- 5
Gradually whisk in the beef broth and crushed tomatoes, bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and stir occasionally until slightly reduced and starting to thicken, about 7 or 8 minutes.
- 6
Add the cooked pasta shells to the skillet, stir in heavy cream and sour cream and heat through, about 2 minutes. Season with kosher salt and pepper.
- 7
Add the grated cheese and stir to combine and melt, about 2 more minutes.
- 8
Serve immediately, or let rest 5 minutes or so off heat to thicken more. Sprinkle with grated parmesan, if desired.
Cheesy Beef and Shells
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Ratings & Reviews
Based on 8 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Looking for that ultimate comforting weeknight dinner that’s both simple to make and bursting with flavor? This Cheesy Beef and Shells recipe delivers a deeply satisfying meal that’s ready to impress, all from a single skillet.
The magic of this Cheesy Beef and Shells recipe lies in its smart layering of flavor and its undeniable creaminess. We start with richly seasoned ground beef, enhanced by aromatic onion and garlic, then build a robust sauce with fire-roasted tomatoes and savory beef stock, all culminating in a velvety cheddar cheese sauce that coats every tender pasta shell.
What you'll experience is a hearty dish where tender medium pasta shells are beautifully enveloped in a luscious, savory sauce. The seasoned ground beef provides a delicious foundation, while the sharp cheddar cheese melts into a creamy embrace. You'll catch hints of classic Italian seasoning, a subtle tang from sour cream, and a gentle warmth from red pepper flakes, making each spoonful a delightful journey of textures and tastes. This dish offers straightforward cooking with a gourmet payoff, perfect for any home cook seeking comfort food without compromise.
Customization & Variations
This versatile skillet dinner welcomes your personal touch. While ground sirloin offers a lean richness, feel free to swap in ground turkey or Italian sausage for a different flavor profile. For a milder tomato base, regular crushed tomatoes can easily stand in for the fire-roasted variety. If you're out of extra sharp cheddar, a good sharp or even a Colby Jack will provide a lovely melt and flavor.
This Cheesy Beef and Shells is a complete meal in itself, hearty enough for any family dinner. Serve it alongside a crisp green salad or some warm crusty bread to soak up every last bit of that delicious, cheesy sauce.