Ground Beef Shells Skillet Recipe

When you’re in the mood for a hearty and flavorful meal but don’t have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen, a one-skillet dinner is the way to go. One of the best dishes that fits this category is the Ground Beef Shells Skillet. It’s a comfort food classic, combining pasta, meat, cheese, and a savory sauce all in one dish. You don’t need to dirty a bunch of pots and pans, and it’s an easy meal the whole family will love.

This Ground Beef Shells Skillet recipe brings together perfectly cooked pasta shells, seasoned ground beef, and a rich, creamy tomato sauce, all topped off with melted cheese for the ultimate comfort meal. You can customize it with your favorite veggies or spices, and it’s also a great base for adding extra ingredients like beans, olives, or even some heat with red pepper flakes.

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Before diving into the skillet portion, we need to cook the pasta. While this is happening, you can prepare the ground beef and sauce, making the overall cooking process more efficient.

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add about 1 tablespoon of salt to the water to season the pasta as it cooks.

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2. Cook the pasta shells. Add the pasta shells to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions, usually about 10-12 minutes. You want the shells to be al dente, which means they should still have a slight firmness when you bite into them. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water to add to the skillet later if necessary.

3. Set the pasta aside. Drizzle the cooked pasta with a little olive oil to prevent it from sticking together, and set it aside while you prepare the beef and sauce in the skillet.

Step 2: Prepare the Ground Beef

While the pasta is cooking, it’s time to cook the ground beef and create the flavorful sauce that will tie everything together.

1. Heat a large skillet. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add about 1 tablespoon of olive oil. This will help sauté the onions and ground beef, giving everything a nice flavor base.

2. Cook the onion and garlic. Once the oil is hot, add the diced onion and cook for about 3-4 minutes until the onion becomes soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.

3. Add the ground beef. Crumble the ground beef into the skillet and break it apart with a spatula. Season the beef with salt, pepper, and the oregano, basil, garlic powder, and onion powder. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the beef is browned and fully cooked, about 7-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary, depending on the fat content of your ground beef.

Step 3: Make the Sauce

Now that the ground beef is cooked, it’s time to make the rich tomato sauce that will coat the pasta shells.

1. Add the tomatoes and tomato sauce. Once the beef is browned, add the can of diced tomatoes (with juices) and tomato sauce to the skillet. Stir to combine with the beef and onion mixture.

2. Add the beef broth. Pour in the beef broth (or chicken broth) to help create a rich sauce. If you prefer a slightly thicker sauce, you can reduce the broth to about 1/2 cup. Stir everything together and bring it to a simmer.

3. Season the sauce. Add crushed red pepper flakes (if using) for some heat, and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer for about 5-7 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 4: Combine Pasta and Sauce

With the beef sauce simmering and the pasta ready, it’s time to combine everything into the skillet.

1. Add the cooked pasta shells to the skillet. Carefully add the cooked pasta shells to the skillet with the beef and tomato sauce. Stir gently to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. If the mixture seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.

2. Simmer the mixture. Let the pasta and sauce simmer together for about 3-5 minutes on low heat, stirring occasionally to ensure the pasta is well coated in the sauce. This will allow the pasta to absorb some of the sauce and flavors.

Step 5: Add the Cheese Topping

No skillet meal is complete without cheese! This dish gets a gooey, cheesy topping that melts perfectly over the pasta.

1. Top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta and beef mixture. Then, sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the mozzarella for a rich, nutty flavor.

2. Melt the cheese. Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Let the cheese melt for about 5 minutes, or until it’s nice and gooey. If you prefer a golden, bubbly crust, you can place the skillet under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, but make sure to watch it carefully to avoid burning the cheese.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Once the cheese is melted and everything is nice and hot, it’s time to serve!

1. Garnish with fresh herbs. For a pop of color and flavor, sprinkle some freshly chopped basil, parsley, or even a little extra grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the dish before serving.

2. Serve and enjoy. Use a large spoon or spatula to serve the Ground Beef Shells Skillet into bowls. The cheesy, beefy goodness is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Tips for the Perfect Ground Beef Shells Skillet

1. Beef alternatives. If you’re looking for a lighter version, you can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or even a plant-based protein. The recipe will still be delicious, and you won’t miss the beefy flavor too much.

2. Customize your veggies. You can add chopped bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms to the skillet along with the onions and garlic to increase the vegetable content of this dish.

3. Adjust the heat. If you like your dishes spicy, feel free to add more crushed red pepper flakes or even a diced jalapeño when cooking the onions and garlic. You could also add a spoonful of hot sauce or a dash of chili powder to increase the heat level.

4. Pasta choice. If you don’t have large shells, you can substitute with any small pasta shape, such as penne, rigatoni, or rotini. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time if you’re using a different type of pasta.

5. Cheese variations. While mozzarella is the classic choice for cheesy pasta dishes, you can mix things up by adding a little cheddar, gouda, or provolone for a different flavor. For extra creaminess, you can even stir in some cream cheese or sour cream at the end of cooking.

6. Make it ahead. This dish can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply warm it in the microwave or on the stove. You may need to add a little more broth to loosen up the sauce when reheating.

Serving Suggestions

This Ground Beef Shells Skillet is a hearty, one-dish meal on its own, but you can pair it with some delicious sides to round out your meal:

1. Garlic bread: A crunchy, buttery garlic bread is always a hit and perfect for dipping into the cheesy sauce.

2. Simple salad: A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette can balance the richness of the dish and add a refreshing touch.

3. Roasted vegetables: Try pairing the skillet with roasted vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or Brussels sprouts for a nutritious side.

4. Wine pairings: A glass of red wine, such as a Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or Chianti, would complement the savory flavors of the ground beef and tomato sauce.

Conclusion

The Ground Beef Shells Skillet is the ultimate easy and delicious one-pan dinner. With minimal prep and just a few ingredients, you can create a meal that’s rich in flavor, satisfying, and perfect for feeding a crowd or your family. The combination of pasta, ground beef, savory sauce, and melty cheese is sure to make this dish a new favorite in your weekly dinner rotation. Enjoy!

Yield: 6

Ground Beef Shells Skillet Recipe

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When you're in the mood for a hearty and flavorful meal but don't have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen, a one-skillet dinner is the way to go. One of the best dishes that fits this category is the Ground Beef Shells Skillet. It's a comfort food classic, combining pasta, meat, cheese, and a savory sauce all in one dish. You don’t need to dirty a bunch of pots and pans, and it’s an easy meal the whole family will love.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 12 oz large pasta shells
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 cup beef broth (or water)
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste (optional, for richer flavor)
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta:Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta shells according to the package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. Brown the ground beef:In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until it's browned and fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
3. Sauté onions and garlic:Add the diced onion to the skillet with the beef and cook for 3-4 minutes, until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute, until fragrant.
4. Add the tomatoes and seasoning:Stir in the diced tomatoes (with juices), beef broth, tomato paste (if using), basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and let it cook for about 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken slightly.
5. Combine pasta and cheese:Add the cooked pasta shells into the skillet and stir gently to coat the shells with the sauce. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until the cheese has melted and everything is heated through.
6. Serve:Remove from heat, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve hot.

Notes

You can swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.

Add some vegetables like bell peppers or spinach to the skillet for extra nutrition and flavor.

For a creamier texture, you can stir in a ½ cup of cream or cream cheese just before adding the cheese.