BEST Creamy Beef And Shells Pasta

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.

Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a pan and heat it up.

Add 1 pound to 1.5 pounds of ground beef to the pan, breaking it apart as it cooks until browned, about 5-7 minutes.

Season the beef with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and 1 teaspoon of black pepper while cooking.

Remove the beef from the pan and drain excess fat, setting it aside.

Add chopped small onion to the pan and cook for about 2 minutes until translucent.

Add minced garlic (about 5 cloves) to the onions and cook for an additional minute, being careful not to burn the garlic.

Stir in 2 tablespoons of flour and cook for about 30 seconds to 1 minute until it browns slightly.

Slowly add 1 cup of beef broth to the pan, scraping the bottom to incorporate any browned bits.

Add 15 ounces of marinara sauce to the mixture and stir to combine.

Mix in 1 teaspoon of oregano, 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon of dried parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon of paprika, then bring to a boil.

Reduce heat and let the mixture cook for about 5 minutes until it thickens.

Add 8 ounces of cooked large shell pasta to the sauce and mix well.

Return the cooked ground beef to the pan and stir to combine.

Pour in 3/4 cup of heavy whipping cream and mix well, cooking for about 1-2 minutes.

Add 1/4 cup of sour cream to the mixture and stir until combined.

Finally, add 2 cups of fresh cheddar cheese and cook for another 1-2 minutes or until the cheese melts.

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Garnish with cilantro before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens