30-Minute Simple Ground Beef Shells Skillet Recipe That Will Change Your Weeknight Dinners Forever

Key Takeaways:

• Perfect 4-person family meal ready in just 30 minutes
• One-pan recipe saves cleanup time
• Uses simple pantry ingredients
• Kid-friendly comfort food with protein and pasta

Looking for a quick dinner that your whole family will love? This simple ground beef shells skillet recipe combines tender pasta shells with seasoned ground beef in a rich tomato sauce. It’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you need a filling meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

Quick Facts

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Servings: 4 people
• Calories: 450 per serving

Kitchen Equipment

• Large skillet (12-inch) – non-stick preferred
• Wooden spoon for stirring
• Measuring cups (1-cup and ½-cup sizes)
• Measuring spoons
• Colander for draining (optional)
• Sharp chef’s knife
• Cutting board (plastic or wood)
• Can opener
• Timer or clock
• Large plate (for holding cooked meat if needed)
• Paper towels

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef (85/15)
• 8 ounces medium pasta shells
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Optional Toppings:

• Extra shredded cheese
• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Grated parmesan cheese

Detailed Step-by-Step Instructions for Beginners

Preparation Phase (10 minutes)

1. Setting Up Your Workspace (2 minutes)

• Clear and clean your counter space
• Place cutting board in center
• Gather all equipment and ingredients
• Wash hands thoroughly with soap

1. Prepare Your Vegetables (5 minutes)

• Peel onion:
  • Cut off both ends
  • Cut in half from top to bottom
  • Peel off outer skin layers
• Dice onion:
  • Place flat side down
  • Make horizontal cuts (but don’t cut through back)
  • Make vertical cuts
  • Cross-cut to dice
• Prepare garlic:
  • Separate 3 cloves from bulb
  • Press with flat of knife to remove skin
  • Mince finely with knife

1. Measure Ingredients (3 minutes)

• Set out beef to reach room temperature
• Measure 2 cups beef broth
• Open can of diced tomatoes
• Measure 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Set out 1 cup cheese (don’t shred until needed)
• Measure 1 teaspoon chili powder

Cooking Phase (20 minutes)

1. Prepare Your Skillet (2 minutes)

• Place large skillet on stove
• Set heat to medium-high
• Add 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Wait until oil shimmers and moves easily (about 1 minute)
• Test heat by dropping tiny piece of onion – should sizzle gently

1. Cook Aromatics (5 minutes)

• Add all diced onions to hot oil
• Spread evenly across pan
• Stir every 30 seconds with wooden spoon
• Cook until onions become transparent (3-4 minutes)
• Add minced garlic
• Stir constantly for 30 seconds (garlic burns easily)

1. Cook Ground Beef (7-8 minutes)

• Add room temperature beef to pan
• Break into golf ball-sized chunks with wooden spoon
• Spread evenly across pan
• Season with ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper
• Break chunks smaller as meat cooks
• Stir every 2 minutes
• Cook until no pink remains
• Check color – should be completely brown
• Optional: drain excess fat by tilting pan and spooning out

1. Add Liquids and Pasta (2 minutes)

• Pour in 2 cups beef broth
• Add entire can of diced tomatoes with liquid
• Add 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Stir to combine
• Add dry pasta shells
• Push pasta under liquid with spoon

1. Final Cooking Stage (10-12 minutes)

• Bring mixture to gentle boil
• Reduce heat to medium-low
• Cover skillet with lid
• Set timer for 12 minutes
• Stir every 3-4 minutes to prevent sticking
• Test pasta at 10 minutes by tasting one piece
• Should be tender but still firm (al dente)
• Add cheese in last 2 minutes
• Stir until melted

1. Finishing Steps (3 minutes)

• Turn off heat
• Let stand 5 minutes to thicken
• Taste and add salt/pepper if needed
• Stir gently
• Add optional toppings if desired

Troubleshooting Tips

• Pasta too firm?
• Add ¼ cup hot water
• Cover and cook 2-3 more minutes
• Test again
• Sauce too thick?
• Add beef broth 2 tablespoons at a time
• Stir well after each addition
• Check consistency
• Sauce too thin?
• Remove lid
• Simmer 3-5 minutes
• Stir occasionally
• Beef clumping?
• Break up with wooden spoon
• Increase heat slightly
• Stir more frequently

Variations & Substitutions

• Ground turkey instead of beef (cook to 165°F)
• Different pasta shapes (adjust cooking time accordingly)
• Add vegetables:
• 1 cup diced bell peppers
• 8 oz sliced mushrooms
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• Cheese options:
• Mexican blend
• Monterey Jack
• Mozzarella

Storage & Reheating

• Cool completely before storing
• Store in airtight container:
• Refrigerator: up to 3 days
• Freezer: up to 2 months
• Reheating methods:
• Microwave: 2-3 minutes with 1 tablespoon water
• Stovetop: Medium heat with splash of broth
• Stir halfway through reheating

Safety Notes & Tips

• Ground beef must reach 160°F (use meat thermometer)
• Keep handle of skillet turned inward on stove
• Use potholders – handle gets hot
• Don’t overcrowd skillet
• Watch for steam when removing lid
• Let cool 5 minutes before serving
• Store leftovers within 2 hours of cooking