Pasta Shells with Ground Beef

Tender pasta shells tossed with seasoned ground beef in a rich, creamy tomato sauce, then finished with plenty of melted cheese. This easy comfort-food dinner is hearty, family-friendly, and perfect for a busy weeknight.

🍝 Ingredients

• 12 oz (340 g) medium pasta shells
• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) tomato sauce
• 1 can (14.5 oz / 410 g) diced tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
• ½ cup (120 ml) beef broth
• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

Add the pasta shells and cook according to the package directions until al dente.

Reserve about ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the shells.

2. Brown the Beef

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add the ground beef and cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked.

Drain excess grease if necessary.

3. Add the Aromatics

Add the diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes, until softened.

Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.

4. Make the Tomato Sauce

Stir in the tomato paste, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, paprika, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.

Pour in the beef broth.

Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. Make It Creamy

Reduce the heat to low.

Stir in the heavy cream and simmer gently for 2–3 minutes.

Don’t let the sauce boil vigorously after adding the cream.

6. Add the Pasta

Add the cooked pasta shells to the skillet.

Toss gently until the shells are thoroughly coated in the beef sauce.

If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.

7. Add the Cheese

Sprinkle in the Parmesan and half of the mozzarella.

Stir until the cheese melts into the sauce.

Top with the remaining mozzarella.

Cover the skillet for 2–3 minutes, until the cheese melts completely.

8. Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle with fresh parsley and a little extra Parmesan.

Serve hot with garlic bread or a simple green salad.

⭐ Tips for the Best Pasta Shells

• Cook the shells just until al dente so they don’t become mushy.
• Ground chuck or lean ground beef both work well.
• Reserve pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
• Freshly grated Parmesan melts more smoothly.
• Add extra mozzarella for an especially cheesy finish.
• Let the dish sit for a couple of minutes before serving so the sauce thickens slightly.

🧀 Easy Variations

Add any of these for extra flavor:

• Diced bell peppers
• Mushrooms
• Spinach
• Zucchini
• Italian sausage
• Pepperoni
• Extra chili flakes
• Fresh basil

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Serve with:

• Garlic bread
• Cheesy breadsticks
• Caesar salad
• Roasted broccoli
• Green beans
• Garlic Parmesan vegetables

⏱️ Recipe Details

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: About 35 minutes
Servings: 4–6
Method: Stovetop
Difficulty: Easy