Ingredients
- 3 cups of dry, medium sized shell pasta
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 cup of chopped Vidalia or other sweet onion
- 1/2 cup of green bell pepper
- 2 teaspoons of minced garlic
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can of stewed tomatoes
- 1 (8 ounce) can of tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh basil
- 1 teaspoon of dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning (like Slap Ya Mama)
- Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon of beef base (like Better Than Bouillon), optional
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can cream of onion or mushroom soup
- 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
- 1-1/2 to 2 cups of French fried onions
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare pasta al dente according to package directions in well salted boiling water; drain, stir to separate, and set aside. Use an oven safe, lidded skillet if you have one, otherwise, butter or spray a 1-1/2 to 2-quart casserole dish; set aside.
Heat olive oil over medium high heat in a large skillet and saute the onion and bell pepper until softened but not brown, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook another minute. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking up the meat, until browned. Drain off any excess fat if needed.
Using a pair of kitchen shears, chop the stewed tomatoes in the can and add to the skillet along with the tomato sauce. Bring to a boil, reduce and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes or until reduced and thickened. Add the basil, parsley, Cajun seasoning, salt and pepper, and beef base, if using; blend. Stir in the cream soup until well blended. Separate any shells that are stuck together and add the drained pasta to the skillet. Mix well, cover and transfer skillet to the oven, or transfer to the prepared baking dish.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes, carefully remove, sprinkle top with the cheese, scatter French fried onions over the top and return to the oven for about 5 minutes, or until lightly browned.
Serve with a side of green beans or a large mixed garden salad and a cool glass of southern iced tea.