20 Minutes Shells and Cheese
User Reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Good
-
Prep Time
5 mins
-
Cook Time
5 mins
-
Servings
8 servings
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Calories
544 kcal
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Course
Side Dish, Main Course
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Cuisine
American
20 Minutes Shells and Cheese
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The shell and cheese recipe is a cheesy, creamy, decadent dinner that comes together in 20 minutes. The whole family will love this pasta made with pasta shells, milk, half and half, sharp cheddar, mustard powder, and bacon. Homemade shells and cheese are so much better than box mac and cheese!
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Ingredients
- 1 lb pasta shells
- ½ onion finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tablespoon butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon coarse sea salt add if needed
- 2 cups Extra Sharp Cheddar grated
- 4 bacon slices crumbled
Instructions
- Cook pasta shells in salted boiling water until al-dente. Drain pasta and reserve pasta-cooked water.
- In a pan melt butter. Sauté finely diced onion for 30 seconds. Add minced garlic and sauté on medium flame. Do not brown onion and garlic.
- Add all-purpose flour to the butter, and whisk continuously making sure to cook the flour without browning or burning. Cook the flour until no longer raw. The flour mix should be thick and pale yellow.
- Pour milk and heavy whipping cream while whisking continuously. Continue whisking until the mixture thickens and is creamy.
- Season cream sauce with salt (be mindful of salt, you might not need it at all), pepper, and dry mustard powder. Mix well.
- Remove pan from heat. Stir in cheddar cheese a little at a time and stir until the cheese is fully melted and incorporated into the sauce.
- Add most of the bacon crumbs to the pan, and reserve some for garnish.
- Add drained shell pasta to the cheese mixture, and stir until pasta is fully coated in cheese sauce.
- Serve immediately hot with fresh ground pepper, a hint of nutmeg if you like, and bacon crumbs.
Notes
- Nutritional Info – Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided is only a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on the products used.
- Measure all ingredients and have them ready near the stove. The cream white sauce comes together in no time and it’s the base of this recipe. Don’t let the sauce turn cold waiting for the pasta to cook with any other prep work.
- Always cook pasta al-dente.
- Shred cheese from the block instead of buying pre-shredded cheese from a bag. Pre-shredded cheese has fillers (non-caking agents) that will prevent the cheese from melting and cause the sauce to turn grainy.
- Allow cheese to come to room temperature before starting the recipe to ensure the creamy consistency of the sauce.
- Smoked paprika or red chili flakes add a hint of kick to the dish that is great to balance the creaminess and richness of the dish.
- After adding pasta the sauce is thick (note sauce will tend to thicken as it cools) adjust the consistency of the sauce by adding pasta cooked water a little at a time. Note: it's crucial pasta cooked water is hot while you add it to the pasta.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
544kcal
(27%)
Carbohydrates
49g
(16%)
Protein
18g
(36%)
Fat
31g
(48%)
Saturated Fat
17g
(85%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
8g
Trans Fat
0.2g
Cholesterol
84mg
(28%)
Sodium
388mg
(16%)
Potassium
264mg
(8%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Vitamin A
906IU
(18%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
275mg
(28%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 544 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 544kcal | 27% |
| Carbohydrates | 49g | 16% |
| Protein | 18g | 36% |
| Fat | 31g | 48% |
| Saturated Fat | 17g | 85% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 84mg | 28% |
| Sodium | 388mg | 16% |
| Potassium | 264mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 906IU | 18% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 275mg | 28% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.0
3 reviews
Good
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