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Creamy Beef and Shells

Creamy Beef and Shells: Your 20-Minute Comfort Food Fix

Creamy Beef and Shells combines ground beef with pasta shells in a rich, cheesy sauce, perfect for a quick and comforting meal.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Comfort Food
Calories: 500

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 ounces medium pasta shells or any medium pasta
For the Beef Mixture
  • 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey/chicken
  • 1 red bell pepper omit or use green bell pepper
  • 1 onion yellow or white recommended
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning adjust to taste
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly cracked preferred
For the Sauce
  • 3 tablespoons Land O Lakes Butter with Olive Oil & Sea Salt or any butter alternative
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or cornstarch for gluten-free
  • 2 cups beef broth or vegetable broth for vegetarian
  • 1 cup sour cream plain Greek yogurt can be used
  • 1 cup mild cheddar cheese or Colby jack/Monterey Jack
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley optional garnish

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Colander
  • Large Skillet
  • Whisk

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the medium pasta shells according to package instructions, typically about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, diced red bell pepper, and chopped onion. Cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and vegetables are tender. Drain excess fat.
  3. Stir in minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until garlic is fragrant.
  4. Add Land O Lakes Butter and melt completely. Whisk in all-purpose flour and cook for another minute until slightly golden.
  5. Gradually pour in beef broth, stirring to avoid lumps. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens.
  6. Lower the heat and stir in sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
  7. Gently fold in the cooked pasta shells, ensuring they are well coated with the creamy sauce. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
  8. Remove from heat, garnish with chopped parsley if desired, and serve warm.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 500kcalCarbohydrates: 54gProtein: 25gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1000IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Brown the beef well for rich flavor. Stir continuously to avoid lumps. Adjust salt based on broth salinity. Reserve pasta water for consistency.

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