When it comes to weeknight dinners, ease and flavor are two essential elements that every home cook craves. Enter shell pasta with ground beef – a dish that ticks both boxes effortlessly. This recipe marries the hearty taste of ground beef with the delightful texture of shell pasta, all enveloped in a rich, savory sauce. Here’s how you can bring this delicious meal to your table.
Ingredients:
– 1 pound ground beef
– 8 ounces shell pasta
– 1 medium onion, finely chopped
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
– 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
– 1 teaspoon dried basil
– 1 teaspoon dried oregano
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish
– Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions:
1. Cook the Shell Pasta: Begin by cooking your shell pasta according to the package instructions. Make sure to cook until al dente, as the pasta will continue to cook slightly when combined with the sauce later on. Drain and set aside.
2. Brown the Beef: In a large skillet or sauté pan, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat until it’s completely cooked through. Break it up into crumbles as it cooks. Once browned, drain any excess fat from the skillet to avoid a greasy sauce.
3. Sauté Onions and Garlic: In the same skillet with the cooked beef, add the chopped onions and minced garlic. Sauté together until the onions become translucent and fragrant – this should take about 3-5 minutes.
4. Add Tomatoes and Seasonings: Next, add the canned diced tomatoes (with their juice), tomato sauce, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together well until it’s nicely combined.
5. Simmer the Sauce: Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for about 15 minutes. This allows all the flavors to meld together beautifully.
6. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add your cooked shell pasta into the skillet with the ground beef mixture. Gently stir to ensure that every piece of pasta is coated in that luscious sauce.
7. Serve: Once everything is thoroughly mixed and heated through, your dish is ready to serve! Garnish each serving with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and some freshly chopped parsley for an extra layer of flavor and a pop of color.
Shell pasta with ground beef is not just simple to prepare; it’s also a comforting meal that brings warmth to any dining table. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual weekend gatherings, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite in no time. Enjoy!
