Description
Make this rich and creamy beef shells casserole for a hearty family dinner. Easy, comforting, and packed with flavor!
Ingredients
For the Casserole:
✅ 8 ounces (about 2 cups) medium pasta shells
✅ 1 pound ground beef
✅ 1 small onion, finely chopped
✅ 2 garlic cloves, minced
✅ 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
✅ 1 cup sour cream
✅ ½ cup cream cheese, softened
✅ 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
✅ ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
✅ 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
✅ Salt and pepper to taste
✅ 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
Optional Garnish:
✅ Fresh parsley for serving
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set it aside.
2️⃣ Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the pasta shells until al dente, according to package instructions.
- Drain and set aside.
3️⃣ Prepare the Beef Mixture:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until softened and fragrant.
- Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it into small crumbles.
- Drain any excess grease, then stir in the tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes.
4️⃣ Make the Creamy Sauce:
- In a mixing bowl, combine sour cream and cream cheese until smooth.
- Stir this creamy mixture into the beef and tomato sauce in the skillet, mixing until fully incorporated.
5️⃣ Assemble the Casserole:
- Layer half of the cooked pasta shells in the prepared baking dish.
- Pour half of the beef and cream mixture over the pasta.
- Repeat with the remaining pasta and sauce.
- Top with shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.
6️⃣ Bake the Casserole:
- Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7️⃣ Garnish and Serve:
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after removing it from the oven.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- Cook Pasta to Al Dente: Prevent the pasta from becoming mushy by cooking it just until al dente.
- Full-Fat Dairy Recommended: For the creamiest results, use full-fat sour cream and cream cheese.
- Storage:
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- To freeze, wrap the casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and store for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: American
