Description
A quick and comforting one-pan dinner featuring savory ground beef and creamy pasta shells.
Ingredients
Scale
- Medium to large pasta shells
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 recommended)
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- ½ cup beef broth or stock
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp Italian herbs (oregano, thyme, basil)
- Optional: 8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta shells until just shy of al dente; drain and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil and butter. When the butter foams, add the diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 3–4 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, stirring to avoid burning.
- Crumble in the ground beef and sauté until browned and no longer pink, about 6–8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- If using, add sliced mushrooms now and cook until they release their moisture and begin to brown.
- Stir in tomato paste and cook for a minute to deepen the flavor.
- Pour in beef broth and scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the pan; add crushed tomatoes and Italian herbs, and let simmer for 5–7 minutes.
- Return the cooked shells to the skillet, toss gently to coat with sauce, and sprinkle cheese on top. Cover briefly to melt cheese for about 2 minutes.
- Serve hot with fresh parsley and extra grated Parmesan if desired.
Notes
Brown the beef well for better flavor. Do not overcook the pasta; finish cooking in the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: one-pan, quick dinner, family recipe, ground beef, pasta
