Recipe for Shell Pasta with Meat Sauce

Recipe for Shell Pasta with Meat Sauce

Here’s a recipe to make a similar dish:

Ingredients:

For the Meat Sauce:

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 carrot, finely diced
• 1 celery stalk, finely diced
• 1 can (14.5 oz/400g) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (6 oz/170g) tomato paste
• 1 cup beef broth or red wine (optional)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

For the Pasta:

• 12 oz (340g) shell pasta or other pasta of your choice
• Salt for the pasta water

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Meat Sauce:
   • Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrot, and celery, and sauté until they start to soften, about 5 minutes.
   • Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
   • Add the ground beef (or meat mixture) to the pan and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
   • Drain any excess fat from the pan if necessary.
   • Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing it to caramelize slightly.
   • Add the diced tomatoes, beef broth or wine (if using), oregano, basil, and bay leaf. Stir well to combine.
   • Bring the sauce to a simmer, reduce the heat to low, and let it cook for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
2. Cook the Pasta:
   • While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
   • Add the shell pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
   • Drain the pasta, reserving a cup of the pasta water.
3. Combine and Serve:
   • Add the cooked pasta to the meat sauce and toss to combine. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
   • Serve the pasta in bowls, garnished with chopped fresh parsley.

This dish is comforting, full of flavor, and perfect for a family dinner. The sauce can also be made in advance and reheated, allowing the flavors to deepen even further. Enjoy!