ANOTHER QUICK ,DELICIOUS AND AFFORDABLE MEAL/OLD SCHOOL PASTA SHELLS WITH MEAT SAUCE

mozzarella cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: cheddar cheese

Part-skim mozzarella reduces fat while maintaining meltiness.

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground pork can be more economical.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast offers a cheesy flavor with fewer calories.

ricotta cheese

🥗Healthier: cottage cheese

💰Cheaper: cream cheese

Cottage cheese is lower in fat, while cream cheese is often less expensive.

Heat a Dutch oven over medium heat.

Add chopped onion to the Dutch oven and cook until translucent, about 5-6 minutes.

Add 2 pounds of ground beef to the Dutch oven; cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon.

Add garlic (not specified if fresh or powdered) to the beef and cook until fragrant.

Add tomato powder, tomato puree, and diced tomatoes to the beef; mix well.

Add tomato paste to thicken the sauce and stir until combined.

Add sugar to balance the bitterness of the tomato paste, along with salt and black pepper to taste.

Simmer the sauce for a few more minutes until thickened.

In a separate pot, bring salted water to a boil and add 1 pound of pasta shells; cook until just al dente, being careful not to overcook.

Drain the pasta and add it directly to the meat sauce, mixing gently to combine.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens