Beef and Shells

heavy cream

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: milk + cornstarch

Greek yogurt reduces calories while maintaining creaminess

cream cheese

🥗Healthier: ricotta cheese

💰Cheaper: cottage cheese

Ricotta provides a similar texture with fewer calories.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated mozzarella

Nutritional yeast is lower in calories and adds a cheesy flavor.

Saute onions in a skillet until nice and translucent, about 3-5 minutes.

Stir in fresh minced garlic and red crushed pepper (optional).

Add 1 pound of ground beef to the skillet and break it up with a wooden spoon.

Season the beef with granulated garlic, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

Add a splash of sriracha for extra kick (optional).

Pour in crushed tomatoes and mix well; feel free to add about half a cup of red wine (optional).

Simmer the meat sauce for about 25 minutes, checking for seasoning and adding kosher salt, black pepper, and a pinch of sugar to balance acidity (optional).

Pour in heavy cream or half-and-half to make the sauce creamy; mix well.

Cook medium sized pasta shells according to package instructions and add to the meat sauce.

Stir until the pasta is evenly coated in the sauce; it may look a little dry at first, but keep stirring until well mixed.

Add sharp cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese; stir and cover with a lid to simmer for an additional minute until the cheese is melted.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens