Description
Hearty beef and shells bring comfort to dinner tables with rich, meaty sauce clinging to tender pasta curves. Home cooks can savor this simple yet satisfying Italian-American classic that promises warmth in every delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
Pasta:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) medium uncooked shells
Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 (14 ounces/397 grams) can tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- ⅓ cup beef broth
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ½ medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and salt, bringing it to a rolling boil. Cook shell pasta according to package directions until tender yet firm (al dente), typically 8-10 minutes.
- While pasta cooks, warm olive oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped onions and sauté until translucent and softened, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Introduce ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into small crumbles using a wooden spoon. Cook thoroughly until no pink remains, about 6-7 minutes, carefully draining any excess fat.
- Mince fresh garlic and sprinkle chili powder into the meat mixture, stirring to distribute evenly. Pour in tomato sauce and beef broth, creating a rich, fragrant base.
- Reduce heat and allow sauce to simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until it slightly thickens and flavors meld together, around 5-6 minutes.
- Stir in heavy cream, creating a luxurious texture. Season generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Drain cooked pasta shells thoroughly, then immediately fold them into the beef sauce, ensuring each shell is generously coated with the creamy, spiced mixture.
- Transfer to serving plates, garnishing with optional fresh herbs or grated parmesan cheese. Serve piping hot for maximum flavor and enjoyment.
Notes
- Make sure to drain pasta shells thoroughly to prevent watery sauce consistency.
- Customize heat levels by adjusting chili powder quantity based on personal spice preferences.
- Select ground beef with 80/20 fat ratio for optimal flavor and moisture retention.
- Keep leftover dish refrigerated in airtight container for up to 3 days, reheating gently to maintain sauce texture.
- Fresh herbs like parsley or chives can brighten the final presentation and add subtle complexity to the rich flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 485 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg