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Ground Beef and French Onion Pasta Shells

A comforting and hearty dish made with ground beef, French onion soup, and pasta shells, perfect for family gatherings or busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound ground beef Use lean ground beef to reduce fat content.
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 1 can (10 1/2 ounces) condensed French onion soup
  • 8 ounces medium pasta shells Feel free to substitute with any pasta shape.
Optional Ingredients
  • Water Add 2 cans of water to the slow cooker.
  • 1 tablespoon butter Optional for a richer finish.
  • sliced mushrooms Optional, for added flavor.
  • sour cream Optional, for topping.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion until the beef is browned and the onion is softened. Drain off any excess fat.
  2. Transfer the beef mixture to the slow cooker. Stir in the condensed French onion soup and add 2 cans of water until everything is well combined.
Cooking
  1. Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours to let the flavors blend nicely.
  2. Stir in the dry pasta shells, cover again, and cook on high for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring once or twice until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has thickened into a gravy.
  3. Give everything a final stir and spoon it into a serving dish. Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving so the gravy settles around the shells.
  4. If desired, stir in a tablespoon of butter for a richer finish.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months. To reheat, warm it on the stove or in the microwave until heated through. You can customize the recipe using ground turkey or chicken, or substitute the meat with lentils or chickpeas for a vegetarian option.