Creamy One-Pot Beef & Shells
A quick, comforting one-pot meal featuring ground beef, pasta shells, and a creamy, cheesy sauce that's perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef Use 80/20 for flavor; ground turkey or chicken can be used as substitutes.
- 8 oz pasta shells Small or medium shells work best; mini penne or elbow macaroni can also be used.
- 2 cups beef broth Use low-sodium if adding a lot of cheese or watching salt.
- 1 cup heavy cream For a lighter option, use half-and-half.
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or cream cheese) Cheddar melts well; cream cheese adds tang.
- 1 medium onion, chopped Yellow or sweet onions are ideal.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced Fresh is preferred over garlic powder.
- 1 tbsp olive oil Used for cooking the onion.
- to taste servings Salt and pepper Add gradually as needed.
Instructions
Preparation
- Chop the onion, mince the garlic, and measure the broth.
Cooking
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Cook chopped onion until soft, about 3–4 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute more.
- Add ground beef and brown, draining excess fat if needed.
- Pour in beef broth and add pasta shells; bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for about 10–12 minutes until pasta is cooked.
- Stir in heavy cream and shredded cheese until smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
For best results, don't rush the browning of the beef. Customize with different cheeses or vegetables, and taste before serving to adjust seasoning as needed.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 35gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 15gSodium: 800mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3g
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