Cheesy Beef Pasta Shells
Cheesy Beef Pasta Shells brings tender pasta and browned ground beef together in a rich tomato-cream sauce with a generous melt of sharp cheddar. It’s hearty, comforting, and full of creamy, beef-forward flavor, perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or a casual family gathering. A sprinkle of Parmesan and parsley adds a bright, savory finish.
- Prep20 mins
- Cook30 mins
- Serves6
- DifficultyEasy
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Cheesy Beef Pasta Shells, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 50 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 0 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityFair
- 58 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Culinary Ingredients
- 2 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 11
- Heart Health
- 64
- Metabolic
- 25
- Digestive
- 26
- Inflammatory
- 39
- Performance
- 33
- General Wellness
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for 8 minutes. The pasta should be cooked through but still slightly firm. Drain and set aside.
- 2
In a heavy-bottomed pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and break it up with the back of a spoon as it browns. Once cooked through, transfer it to a bowl and set aside.
- 3
Add the onions to the pot and cook, stirring, until they start to soften, about 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and Italian seasoning. Cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Sprinkle the flour over the top and stir; the mixture will be dry.
- 4
Slowly whisk in the beef broth, then add the tomato sauce. Whisk until smooth. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Bring the sauce to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer, stirring frequently, until reduced and slightly thickened, 8 to 10 minutes.
- 5
Add the beef, pasta shells, and half-and-half to the sauce and mix until well combined. Stir in the cheese until completely melted.
- 6
Serve in wide bowls, garnished with parsley and Parmesan cheese.
- Calories 564.23 kcal High 28%
- Protein 29.06 g Good Source 58%
- Carbohydrate 39.14 g 14%
- Total Fat 31.48 g High 40%
- Saturated Fat 15.3 g High 77%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 92.45 mg High 31%
- Sodium 632.61 mg High 28%
- Dietary Fiber 2.95 g Moderate 11%
- Total Sugars 5.65 g --
- Added Sugars 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Calcium 290.84 mg Good Source 22%
- Iron 3.12 mg Moderate 17%
- Potassium 249.84 mg Low Source 5%
- Vitamin A 47.1 mcg Low Source 5%
- Vitamin C 4.46 mg Low Source 5%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Milk 🥛
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
- Tomatoes 🍅
- Garlic 🧄
- Onions 🧅
About This Recipe
Cheesy Beef Pasta Shells is made with 14 ingredients and serves 6. It takes about 50 mins and is rated easy. Key ingredients include All Purpose Flour, Beef Stock, Fresh Parsley, and Garlic. Each serving provides about 564.23 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Cheesy Beef Pasta Shells made of?
- The main ingredients are All-Purpose Flour, Beef Stock, Fresh Parsley, Garlic, Grated Parmesan Cheese. The full list of 14 is above.
- How long does it take to make Cheesy Beef Pasta Shells?
- About 50 mins in total: 20 mins to prepare and 30 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 564.23 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Cheesy Beef Pasta Shells easy to make?
- This recipe is rated easy, with 14 ingredients and 6 steps.
- Is Cheesy Beef Pasta Shells healthy?
- Cheesy Beef Pasta Shells has an easyChef Pro health score of 38/100. Per serving, it provides 564.23 calories and 29.06 g of protein, or 58% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of calcium. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 632.61 mg (28% of the Daily Value) and saturated fat at 15.3 g (77% of the Daily Value). It contains Milk, Wheat, Gluten, Tomatoes, Garlic and Onions, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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