Description
This One Pot Cheesy Beef and Shells is a comforting, family-friendly dinner that comes together in just 30 minutes. Made with tender pasta shells, hearty ground beef, and a rich, cheesy tomato sauce, it’s the ultimate weeknight meal with easy cleanup and tons of flavor.
Ingredients
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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1 pound ground beef
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1 small onion, finely chopped
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
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1/2 teaspoon paprika
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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2 cups beef broth
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1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
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1/2 cup heavy cream
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2 cups medium pasta shells (uncooked)
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2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
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1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
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Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
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Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat.
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Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed.
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Add chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for another minute.
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Pour in beef broth, tomato sauce, and heavy cream. Stir to combine.
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Add the uncooked pasta shells, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
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Stir in shredded cheddar and Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.
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Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
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Swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
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For extra veggies, stir in some baby spinach or frozen peas before serving.
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Make it spicy with a pinch of red pepper flakes.
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Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 615
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 115mg