Description
A rich, cheesy, one-pot pasta dish made with ground beef, marinara, cream, and cheddar. Comforting, kid-friendly, and ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
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225 g medium pasta shells
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15 ml olive oil
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450 g ground beef
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1 small sweet onion, diced
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5 cloves garlic, minced
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16 g all-purpose flour
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240 ml beef stock
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425 g marinara sauce
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180 ml heavy cream
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60 ml sour cream
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170 g freshly grated cheddar cheese
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1 tsp Italian seasoning
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1 tsp dried parsley
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0.5 tsp dried oregano
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0.5 tsp smoked paprika
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Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
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Cook the Pasta: Boil shells in salted water until al dente (8–10 minutes). Drain and set aside.
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Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil in a skillet. Cook ground beef 3–5 minutes until browned. Drain fat and remove from skillet.
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Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, cook the onion 2 minutes, then add the garlic for 1 minute.
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Build Sauce: Sprinkle flour, whisk 1 minute. Gradually whisk in beef stock until smooth. Stir in marinara, Italian seasoning, parsley, oregano, and smoked paprika. Simmer 6–8 minutes.
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Combine: Return beef and pasta to the skillet. Mix until pasta absorbs sauce.
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Make It Creamy: Stir in heavy cream, cook 1–2 minutes. Add sour cream, then fold in cheddar until melted and creamy.
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Serve: Plate hot with parsley garnish if desired.
Notes
Freshly shredded cheese melts best.
Add veggies like spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini for nutrition.
Smoked paprika adds warmth and depth.
Loosen thick sauce with milk or pasta water.
Freeze with caution—texture may change.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop (boil + sauté + simmer)
- Cuisine: American-Italian fusion