Creamy Beef Shells Casserole Recipe – Easy, Cheesy, and Irresistible Comfort Food
A hearty, comforting casserole featuring tender pasta shells, creamy sauce, and seasoned ground beef for a family-friendly dinner. Perfect for busy nights when you crave homemade flavor with minimal fuss. This easy bake comes together quickly with pantry staples and will please even picky eaters. Serve with a green salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups medium pasta shells uncooked
- 1 10.5-ounce can condensed tomato soup
- 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
- ¾ cup sour cream
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook pasta shells according to package directions, drain.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium, sauté onion and garlic until soft.
- Add ground beef, cook until browned, drain excess fat.
- Stir in tomato soup, tomato sauce, milk, Italian seasoning, paprika, and pepper; simmer 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat, fold in sour cream and half the cheese.
- Combine beef mixture with cooked shells and pour into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Top with remaining cheese.
- Bake uncovered 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Garnish with parsley and serve.
Notes
- Swap beef with ground turkey for a lighter version.
- Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach for extra veggies.
- Use mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese for a milder flavor.
- Make ahead and refrigerate, bake just before serving
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