Description
Creamy Beef Shells become pure comfort on a plate, bringing together tender pasta shells and hearty ground beef in a velvety sauce that hugs your taste buds. Baked until golden and bubbling, this casserole delivers a satisfying meal that brings warmth to your dinner table without any complicated kitchen maneuvers.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
Main Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (about 2 cups) medium pasta shells
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
Dairy and Cheese:
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Optional Garnish:
- Fresh parsley for serving
Instructions
- Warm your oven to exactly 375°F (190°C). Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray, ensuring complete coverage.
- Boil 8 ounces (2 cups) pasta shells in heavily salted water for 8-9 minutes until perfectly al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté 1 finely chopped onion and 2 minced garlic cloves until translucent, about 3 minutes.
- Add 1 pound ground beef to the skillet. Break meat into small crumbles, cooking for 6-7 minutes until no pink remains. Carefully drain excess fat.
- Pour 15 ounces tomato sauce into the beef. Stir in 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer the mixture for exactly 5 minutes.
- Whisk ½ cup cream cheese and 1 cup sour cream in a separate bowl until completely smooth. Fold this creamy mixture into the beef sauce.
- Layer half the cooked shells in the prepared baking dish. Spread half the beef-cream mixture evenly across the pasta. Repeat layering.
- Sprinkle 1 cup cheddar and ½ cup mozzarella cheese across the top, covering completely.
- Cover the casserole with aluminum foil. Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes, then remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until cheese bubbles.
- Remove from oven and rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving immediately.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and create a cleaner, more refined sauce texture.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular pasta shells with gluten-free pasta shells and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time to streamline the cooking process and make assembly faster and more efficient.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne to the beef mixture for extra kick.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 430 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg