Description
Creamy Beef Pasta is a comforting and budget-friendly dinner perfect for busy weeknights. This flavorful dish combines tender pasta shells with savory ground beef, creamy tomato soup, and melted cheese to create a hearty and satisfying meal that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 ounces (1/2 box) pasta shells
Beef Mixture
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 3/4 cup diced onion (about 1/2 an onion; frozen diced onion works well)
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
Sauce
- 2 cans Campbell’s tomato soup
- 1/2 cup water
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
Cheese
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella or Italian blend cheese
Seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta shells according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the Ground Beef: While the pasta cooks, heat a pan over medium heat and add the ground beef. Cook until browned and no longer pink, then drain any excess fat.
- Sauté Onions: In the largest pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onions and sauté for 2-3 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Add Garlic and Italian Seasoning: Stir in the minced garlic and Italian seasoning, cooking for an additional minute to release the flavors.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour in the two cans of tomato soup and 1/2 cup water, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the drained ground beef, heavy cream, and cooked pasta shells to the sauce. Stir well and cook over medium heat until everything is fully incorporated and heated through.
- Add Cheese: Mix in the shredded sharp cheddar and mozzarella (or Italian blend) cheeses, stirring continuously until the cheeses melt and the sauce is creamy.
- Season and Serve: Taste and adjust with salt and pepper as desired. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Frozen diced onion can be used to save prep time without compromising flavor.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, but it may be less creamy.
- This dish reheats well and makes excellent leftovers.
- You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a slight kick of heat.
- Use sharp cheddar cheese for the best flavor contrast in the creamy sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
