Description
A creamy and comforting beef and pasta shells dish featuring ground beef, bell pepper, onions, and a rich cheesy sauce seasoned with Italian herbs, perfect for a hearty family meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Pasta
- 3 cups medium pasta shells, uncooked
Beef Mixture
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 large onion, diced
- 1 tsp garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Sauce
- 3 tbsp Land O Lakes® Butter with Olive Oil & Sea Salt
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup mild cheddar cheese
Garnish
- 2 tbsp parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta shells according to package instructions until tender. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Brown Beef and Vegetables: In a large pan over medium heat, add the ground beef, diced red bell pepper, and diced onion. Cook until the beef is fully cooked and crumbled. Drain any excess fat and return the pan to the heat.
- Add Seasonings and Butter: Add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to the beef mixture, stirring until fragrant. Stir in the butter until it melts completely.
- Create Roux and Thicken Sauce: Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for about 1 minute until the flour is absorbed and the mixture thickens slightly.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Gradually stir in the beef broth, continuing to stir until the mixture slightly thickens. Then add in the sour cream and mild cheddar cheese, stirring until the sauce is smooth and combined.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Stir the cooked pasta shells into the creamy beef sauce, ensuring everything is well coated.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped parsley over the dish for freshness and serve immediately.
Notes
- For a lighter option, use reduced-fat sour cream and cheese.
- Substitute beef broth with vegetable broth for a milder flavor.
- You can add additional vegetables like mushrooms or spinach for extra nutrition.
- If preferred, use gluten-free pasta and flour to make the dish gluten-free.
- Make sure to drain excess fat after cooking the beef to avoid greasiness.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
