Ingredients
For the Pasta and Ground Beef:
About 3 cups of pasta shells
1 pound ground beef (85% lean)
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)
Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Cook the Pasta Shells:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add the pasta shells and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
Drain and set aside.
Prepare the Ground Beef Mixture:
In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink.
Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
Add Tomatoes and Seasoning:
Add the diced tomatoes (with their juice) and tomato sauce to the skillet with the ground beef.
Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Combine Pasta and Sauce:
Add the cooked pasta shells to the skillet with the ground beef mixture.
Stir until the pasta is well coated with the sauce.
If desired, sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the top and cover the skillet until the cheese melts.