Description
A deliciously creamy pasta dish that combines savory ground beef with tender shells in a rich sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces medium pasta shells
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small sweet onion (diced)
- 5 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup beef stock
- 1 (15oz can) marinara sauce
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese (freshly grated)
Instructions
- Start by cooking the pasta shells in a large pot of boiling salted water according to package instructions. Drain well and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, cooking until browned, about 3-5 minutes. Use a wooden spoon to break the beef apart. Once browned, drain the excess fat and set the beef aside.
- In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently until they soften. Add the minced garlic, cooking until it is fragrant, around 1 minute.
- Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook until it’s lightly browned, which should take about 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in the beef stock, ensuring that it combines smoothly. Pour in the marinara sauce and stir in the Italian seasoning, dried parsley, oregano, and smoked paprika.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens slightly.
- Stir in the cooked pasta and return the beef back into the skillet.
- Next, pour in the heavy cream and heat through for about 1-2 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Afterward, stir in the sour cream, followed by folding in the freshly grated cheddar cheese until melted and the sauce is creamy. This should take 1-2 minutes.
- Serve immediately, ideally garnished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a touch of color.
Notes
For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and Greek yogurt for sour cream. Ensure ingredients are at room temperature for better mixing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American