Creamy Beef and Shells

Ingredients

• 32 ounces medium pasta shells

• 2 tablespoon olive oil

• 2 pounds ground beef

• 2 small sweet onions (diced)

• 8 cloves garlic (minced)

• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

• 2 teaspoons dried parsley

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 2 cups beef stock

• 1 (24oz jar) marinara sauce

• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream

• 1/2 cup sour cream

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

• 3 cups cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add ground beef and diced onion. While cooking - sprinkle meat with about 1/3 of the seasonings. Cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes, breaking it up. Drain excess fat.

2. Cook pasta according to package instructions in a large pot of boiling salted water and drain well.

3. Add garlic to skillet, and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

4. Whisk in flour until lightly browned, for about 1 minute.

5. Gradually whisk in beef stock and stir to combine. Add marinara sauce and stir in the rest of the seasonings.

6. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until reduced and slightly thickened, about 6-8 minutes.

7. Next, stir in heavy cream until heated through, about 1-2 minutes. Taste and adjust for salt and pepper.

8. After that, stir in the sour cream.

9. Stir in the cooked pasta shells.

10. Next, fold in the cheddar cheese until melted, about 1-2 minutes.

11. Serve immediately, garnished with parsley if desired.

    
    

Credit: https://sweetandsavorymeals.com/creamy-beef-and-shells/