Description
This creamy beef and shells recipe features tender pasta shells combined with seasoned ground beef in a rich, cheesy sauce made with sour cream and mild cheddar. It’s a hearty and comforting dish perfect for a satisfying family meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Pasta
- 3 cups medium pasta shells, uncooked
Beef Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 large onion, diced
- 1 tsp garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Sauce
- 3 tbsp Land O Lakes® Butter with Olive Oil & Sea Salt
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup mild cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta shells according to package instructions until tender. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Brown Beef and Vegetables: In a large pan over medium heat, add the ground beef, diced red bell pepper, and diced onion. Cook until the beef is browned and crumbled, and the vegetables are softened. Drain any excess fat from the pan and return it to the heat.
- Add Seasonings and Make Roux: Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper until fragrant. Then add the butter and stir until melted. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute until the flour is absorbed and slightly toasted.
- Prepare Sauce: Gradually pour in the beef broth while stirring constantly until the mixture thickens slightly. Then stir in the sour cream and mild cheddar cheese until the sauce is smooth and combined.
- Combine and Serve: Add the cooked pasta shells to the sauce mixture and gently stir to coat everything evenly. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- Use mild cheddar for a creamy, smooth sauce that melts well.
- Drain the fat after browning beef to avoid a greasy sauce.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of smoked paprika or red pepper flakes with the Italian seasoning.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- For a lighter version, substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
