Creamy Ground Beef and Shells Casserole
A comforting and creamy casserole that combines lean ground beef and pasta shells in a rich cheese sauce, perfect for family dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: None Specified
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) lean ground beef
- 8 oz (225g) medium pasta shells, uncooked
- 2 cups (480ml) beef broth
- 1 (15 oz / 425g) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups (170g) cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Sauté the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the lean ground beef until it’s no longer pink. Drain any excess fat.
- Combine the Ingredients: Stir in the beef broth, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and uncooked pasta shells.
- Boil and Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it simmer for about 15 minutes until the pasta is tender.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Stir in the heavy cream and half of the cheddar cheese until a creamy sauce forms.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top and let it sit off the heat until the cheese is gooey.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve warm.
Notes
For a lighter option, use ground turkey or chicken. You can also mix in veggies like peas or spinach for added nutrition.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg