Description
This Gluten Free Italian Shells and Cheese recipe features nutritious Banza pasta shells combined with savory ground beef, rich tomato sauce, and creamy cheese, all seasoned with Italian herbs and spices. It’s a comforting, cheesy dish perfect for a quick family dinner that’s both satisfying and gluten-free.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 box Banza pasta shells
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 small can tomato sauce (8 oz)
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or colby jack cheese
Seasonings
- 2 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Boil the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the Banza pasta shells and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Brown the ground beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the lean ground beef until fully browned. Drain any excess fat. Add Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the beef, stirring well to combine.
- Add tomato sauce and simmer: Pour in the small can of tomato sauce and stir to combine. Reduce heat and let it simmer gently for about 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Combine pasta and cheese: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the beef and sauce mixture. Stir in half of the shredded cheese, mixing all ingredients thoroughly to combine.
- Incorporate heavy cream: Pour in the heavy whipping cream and stir again, ensuring the sauce becomes creamy and well blended with the pasta and beef.
- Broil with remaining cheese: Transfer the mixture to an oven-safe dish if your skillet is not broiler safe. Top with the remaining shredded cheese. Place under the broiler for 2-4 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
Notes
- You can substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or a dairy-free cream alternative if desired.
- For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes when seasoning the beef.
- Make sure to use gluten-free pasta like Banza to keep the dish safe for gluten-sensitive diets.
- If you don’t have a broiler, you can bake at 400°F for about 5-7 minutes or until cheese melts.
