⏱️ Prep Time: 5 minutes • 🍳 Cook Time: 25 minutes

This one recipe is beefy, cheesy, saucy, and packed with flavor. It’s like Hamburger Helper, but way better (and without all the mystery ingredients). Everything cooks in one pan, including the pasta, and it comes together in under 30 minutes.

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*Cheesy pasta shells simmered in a rich tomato-beef sauce, finished with melty cheddar.*

I always keep the ingredients for this on hand for those nights when I want comfort food that practically cooks itself. You just brown the beef, toss in the pasta and broth, let it simmer, and stir in the cheese at the end. Done. No straining pasta, no layering, no extra pots to wash. And the flavor payoff is chef’s kiss.

This reheats beautifully too, so if you’re feeding one or two, the leftovers will be your new best friend. Pro tip: add a little splash of broth or milk when reheating to bring it back to life.

🍽️ Servings: 4 • 🔥 Calories/Serving: 480

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
1 ½ cups beef or chicken broth
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
2 cups small pasta shells (or elbows)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan
1 tbsp olive oil (if using lean ground beef)

Steps

Step 1

In a large skillet or sauté pan, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain excess grease if needed.

Step 2

Add tomato sauce, broth, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and pasta shells. Stir well.

Step 3

Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 15–18 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.

Step 4

Remove from heat. Stir in cheddar and Parmesan until melted and creamy.

Step 5

Let sit for 2–3 minutes to thicken before serving.

Make it your own!

🧀 Swap the cheese
Try mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or even a little cream cheese for a different twist.
🌶️ Add heat
Stir in a spoonful of chili flakes or hot sauce if you like it spicy.
🧄 Boost the flavor
Add a scoop of jarred pesto or sun-dried tomato oil at the end for a flavor punch.
🥦 Sneak in veggies
Stir in a handful of frozen spinach or peas during the last 5 minutes of simmering — no chopping needed!