Savory Ground Beef Alfredo with Velveeta Shells
Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1 large yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 (15 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little kick!)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 (12 ounce) box Velveeta shells and cheese
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, oil-packed, drained and chopped
1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
Directions:
1. Brown the Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef. Drain off any excess grease.
2. Sauté the Veggies: Add the chopped onion and diced red bell pepper to the skillet with the beef. Cook until the onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. Simmer the Sauce: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, to let the flavors meld. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and Kalamata olives.
4. Cook the Shells: While the sauce simmers, prepare the Velveeta shells according to the package directions.
5. Combine and Creamify: Once the shells are cooked and drained, add them to the skillet with the ground beef sauce. Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until everything is well combined and the sauce is creamy.
6. Serve and Garnish: Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley.
Cooking Time: 25 minutes | Servings: 6 | Calories: Approximately 550