Ah, a classic comfort-food combo! Here’s a hearty, easy recipe for Pasta Shells with Ground Beef:
Ingredients (serves 4–6)
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta shells
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz / 410 g) diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional, for topping)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Cook pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside. - Cook beef:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic; sauté until fragrant (~2–3 minutes). Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess fat if needed. - Make sauce:
Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10–15 minutes to let the flavors meld. - Combine pasta and sauce:
Gently fold cooked pasta shells into the beef and tomato sauce until well coated. - Optional cheesy topping:
If you want it baked and cheesy, transfer the mixture to a baking dish, sprinkle with mozzarella, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. - Serve:
Garnish with fresh basil or parsley, and enjoy warm.
💡 Tip: You can stuff the pasta shells with the beef mixture before baking for a twist on stuffed shells.
If you want, I can also give you a faster stovetop version that skips baking but is just as delicious. Do you want me to do that?
