Green Chile Shells With Ground Beef, Potatoes

Green Chile Shells with Ground Beef and Potatoes offers a hearty and flavorful dish that combines tender ground beef, diced potatoes, and pasta shells in a comforting tomato-based sauce. Enhanced with the smoky richness of roasted green chiles, this recipe brings together savory flavors and a touch of spice, perfect for a satisfying meal any day of the week.

Easy to customize with additional seasonings or adjust quantities to suit personal preferences, it’s a versatile dish that promises warmth and homely appeal with every comforting bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Comforting and Hearty: This dish combines the savory richness of ground beef, tender potatoes, and pasta shells in a warm, flavorful sauce. It’s the ultimate comfort food, satisfying both hunger and cravings for something hearty and comforting.

Unique Flavor with Green Chile: The addition of roasted green chile brings a subtle heat and smoky depth to the dish. It elevates the flavors, adding a fresh, spicy kick that complements the beef and potatoes perfectly.

Quick and Easy: This is a one-pot meal that’s simple to make, with minimal prep required. The steps are easy to follow, and it’s ready in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want a tasty, no-fuss dinner.

Perfectly Balanced: The combination of meat, vegetables, and pasta creates a balanced meal with protein, carbs, and healthy fats. The addition of garlic, onions, and seasoning gives the dish a fragrant, rich flavor that appeals to all taste buds.

Customizable: You can easily adjust the recipe to your liking. Add more or less spice, switch up the veggies, or use different types of meat. It’s a versatile dish that can be adapted to suit various tastes and preferences.

Key Ingredients:

Ground Beef: The main protein source, providing rich, savory flavor and a satisfying texture.

Shell Pasta: The pasta shells act as the perfect vehicle to soak up the flavorful sauce, adding a comforting texture to the dish.

Green Chile: Roasted and peeled, green chile adds a smoky, spicy kick to the dish that balances the richness of the beef and potatoes.

Potatoes: Diced small, potatoes absorb the flavors of the sauce, adding a hearty, satisfying element to the meal.

Tomato Sauce: This forms the base of the sauce, providing a tangy sweetness and depth of flavor.

Onion: A classic aromatic that enhances the overall flavor profile of the dish with its sweetness and fragrance.

Garlic: Whether fresh or powder, garlic adds a rich, aromatic essence that deepens the flavor.

Seasonings: A mix of salt, pepper, chicken bouillon (Knorr), and spices for an extra layer of savory seasoning.

Green Chile Shells With Ground Beef, Potatoes

Ingredients:

1/2 lb of ground beef

1 small can of tomatoes sauce

A piece of onion

2 tspn of cooking oil your preference

About a cup & 1/2 of shells

1 green Chile roasted & peeled

Salt

Garlic 1 clove smashed or tsp1/2 of powder

Tsp of pepper

Pinch of salt

2 tsp of chicken knorr or a cube

1/2 a small potatoe in cubed pieces

Instructions:

1st brown ground beef with the oil drain most of the grease

2nd – add your shells & onion brown a little bit add your smashed garlic if using fresh brown a bit

also

3rd – add tomatoes sauce stir

Add about 21/2-3 cups of water, Pinch of salt, Knorr, Pepper, Garlic powder if using powder

Add your potatoes diced small

Add your green chile

Bring to a boil

Lower heat

Cover & cook until shells are soft but not soggy about 20 mins

You can add more or less of the ingredients to your liking

Notes:

Ground Beef: Use lean ground beef to minimize excess grease. Brown it well to enhance flavor before draining most of the grease for a healthier dish.

Tomato Sauce: The small can of tomato sauce provides the base for the dish, contributing to the overall sauciness and flavor.

Onion and Garlic: These aromatics add depth and flavor. Brown the onion and fresh garlic (if using) with the beef and shells to enhance their taste.

Pasta Shells: Use about 1.5 cups of pasta shells, which will cook in the liquid and absorb the flavors of the sauce.

Roasted Green Chile: Roasted and peeled green chile adds a mild, smoky flavor. Adjust the amount depending on your preference for spiciness.

Seasonings: Use salt, pepper, and optionally garlic powder for seasoning. Adjust amounts to taste.

Chicken Knorr or Cube: Adds additional savory flavor to the dish. Adjust quantity based on personal taste preference.

Potatoes: Dice the potatoes small so they cook through evenly with the pasta shells. They add texture and heartiness to the dish.

Cooking Method: Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat and cover to simmer until the shells are tender but not mushy, approximately 20 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking and to prevent sticking.

Customization: Feel free to adjust ingredient quantities to suit your taste preferences. You can also add additional vegetables or spices to personalize the dish.

Nutrition Information:

Nutrition Facts:

Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately)

Frequently Asked Questions:

What type of shells work best for Green Chile Shells with Ground Beef and Potatoes?

You can use any small pasta shells for this dish, such as elbow macaroni or small shells.

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?

Yes, ground turkey is a suitable alternative for a leaner option.

How spicy is the dish with the green chile?

The spiciness will depend on the heat level of the green chile.

Adjust the quantity to your preferred spice level.

Is it necessary to roast and peel the green chile?

Roasting and peeling the green chile adds a smoky flavor, but if you’re short on time, you can use canned diced green chiles.

Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Certainly, omit the ground beef and use vegetable broth instead of chicken knorr for a vegetarian version.

What type of oil is recommended for browning the ground beef?

You can use any cooking oil you prefer, such as olive oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil.

Is it okay to use fresh tomatoes instead of tomato sauce?

Yes, you can use fresh tomatoes, but you might need to adjust the liquid content.

Blend the tomatoes to make a sauce.

Can I substitute fresh garlic with garlic powder?

Yes, you can use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic.

Adjust the quantity to your taste.

How can I make the dish less spicy?

Reduce the amount of green chile or choose a mild variety.

Adjust pepper quantity accordingly.

Can I prepare this dish in advance?

Yes, you can make the base of the dish in advance and cook the shells just before serving to maintain their texture.