Creamy One-Pot Beef and Shells

Ingredients

- 6 servings +

• 1 lb lean ground beef, 85/15 or 90/10 lean
• 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
• 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning & 1 tsp smoked paprika, warm herbal spice blend
• 1 tsp onion powder & 0.5 tsp garlic powder, savory seasoning
• 1 tsp kosher salt & 0.5 tsp black pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp tomato paste, rich umami concentration
• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes, smooth sauce base
• 3 ½ cups low-sodium beef broth, cooks the pasta directly
• 8 oz medium pasta shells, about 2.5 cups dry
• ½ cup heavy whipping cream, or half-and-half
• 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded, divided
• 2 tbsp fresh Italian parsley, chopped, for garnish