CREAMY GARLIC PARMESAN BEEF AND SHELLS
Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
12 oz pasta shells
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup beef broth
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)
Directions:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
Cook the ground beef: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat, if necessary.
Season the beef: Add the minced garlic, onion powder, and dried thyme to the beef, cooking for another 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Make the garlic Parmesan sauce: Add the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce (if using) to the skillet. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly. Stir in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer, letting it cook for 5 minutes until thickened.
Add the cheese and butter: Stir in the Parmesan cheese and butter, whisking until smooth and creamy.
Combine pasta and beef: Add the cooked pasta shells to the skillet, tossing everything together so the pasta is coated in the creamy sauce. Add a little reserved pasta water if the sauce needs to be thinned.
Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot with extra Parmesan on top.
Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Servings: 4