Description
This Gluten Free Italian Shells and Cheese recipe combines tender Banza pasta shells with savory ground beef, a rich tomato sauce, and creamy cheese for a comforting, gluten-free twist on a classic favorite. Perfectly seasoned with Italian herbs and topped with melted cheddar or colby jack cheese, it’s an easy and satisfying meal ready in about 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 box Banza pasta shells
Meat and Sauce
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 small can tomato sauce (8 oz)
Dairy and Seasonings
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or colby jack cheese
- 2 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Cook the Banza pasta shells in boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Brown Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the lean ground beef until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat. Season the beef with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, stirring to combine.
- Add Tomato Sauce: Pour in the small can of tomato sauce, stirring the mixture. Reduce heat and let it simmer gently for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Combine Pasta and Cheese: Add the cooked pasta shells to the skillet along with half of the shredded cheese. Stir well to evenly combine the ingredients.
- Incorporate Cream: Pour in the heavy whipping cream and stir again to create a creamy, cohesive sauce coating the pasta and meat.
- Broil with Cheese Topping: Transfer the mixture to an oven-safe dish if needed, top with the remaining cheese, and place under the broiler until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown, about 3–5 minutes. Watch closely to prevent burning.
Notes
- Use gluten-free pasta shells like Banza to keep this dish gluten-free.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half or milk for heavy cream, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Watch the broiler carefully when melting cheese to avoid burning.
- You can add cooked vegetables like spinach or mushrooms to increase nutritional value.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
