Creamy Beef Pasta

20 mins
Serves 1
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Directions

  1. 1Heat a Dutch oven over medium heat and add olive oil.
  2. 2Add one diced yellow onion, one teaspoon red pepper flakes, one teaspoon Italian seasoning, and a big pinch of salt. Cook until the onions are soft, about 6-8 minutes.
  3. 3Add six minced cloves of garlic and cook for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
  4. 4Add one and a quarter pounds of ground beef, a big pinch of salt, a big pinch of pepper, and one teaspoon of paprika. Break up the beef and brown it.
  5. 5Make a space in the middle of the pot and add 2-3 tablespoons of tomato paste. Cook for a few minutes.
  6. 6Bring all ingredients together.
  7. 7Add three cups of beef broth and one cup of heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a low boil.
  8. 8Add one pound of pasta shells. Mix them in, then lower the heat to a simmer.
  9. 9Cook until the pasta shells are tender, about 15 to 20 minutes (16 minutes seems perfect).
  10. 10Add 5 ounces of sharp cheddar cheese.
  11. 11Taste the dish and add a big pinch of salt and a little bit of pepper if needed. This would also be a good time to toss in some butter.
  12. 12Plate the creamy beef pasta.
  13. 13Garnish with chives.

Ingredients

  • 1 whole yellow onion
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 6 cloves garlic
  • 1.25 pounds ground beef
  • 1 pinch pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 pound pasta shells
  • 5 ounces sharp cheddar cheese
  • chives
  • olive oil

Equipment

Dutch oven

Tips

  • Cook onions until tender (6-8 minutes).
  • Cook garlic until you can smell it (less than a minute).
  • Make room for tomato paste in the middle of the Dutch oven and cook it for a few minutes.
  • When adding pasta shells, lower to a simmer and cook for about 16 minutes until tender.
  • Taste and season as you like after adding cheddar cheese.
  • Consider adding butter when tasting for seasoning.