Description
A rich, savory pasta dish combining seasoned ground beef with pasta shells and a smooth cheese sauce made from marinara, heavy cream, and sour cream. Infused with aromatic garlic, onions, and Italian herbs, this recipe delivers a balanced, family-friendly meal with a restaurant-quality finish in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Medium Pasta Shells 8 ounces
Olive Oil 1 tablespoon
Ground Beef 1 pound
Sweet Onion 1 small
Garlic 2 cloves
Italian Herbs 1 teaspoon
Unsalted Flour 2 tablespoons
Marinara Sauce 1 cup
Heavy Cream 1/4 cup
Sour Cream 1/4 cup
Cheddar Cheese 1 cup
Salt To taste
Black Pepper To taste
Instructions
Bring a pot of well-salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta shells according to package instructions until tender; drain and set aside.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook for 5 minutes, breaking it apart until browned.
Sauté the diced sweet onion and minced garlic for 3 minutes in the same skillet. Pour in 2 tablespoons of flour and stir to create a roux.
Gradually add 1 cup marinara sauce to the skillet, ensuring it’s fully blended with the roux. Stir in Italian herbs and bring to a simmer.
Reduce heat and mix 1/4 cup heavy cream into the sauce until glossy and thickened. Stir in 1/4 cup sour cream and 1 cup grated cheddar cheese until melted.
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Combine the cooked pasta shells with the beef-cheese sauce using tongs or a spatula.Serve hot.
Notes
For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and use reduced-fat sour cream.
Cook the marinara sauce on low heat to avoid separation.
Serve with a fresh herb garnish if desired, such as parsley or basil.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Easy Pasta Recipes for Quick Family Dinners
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 40mg