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Irresistible Shells and Sauce: Your New Go-To Pasta Recipe

Irresistible Shells and Sauce: Your New Go-To Pasta Recipe

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
10 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • Shell Pasta: twelve ounces (this is the star of our dish!)
  • Olive Oil: two tablespoons (for sautéing)
  • Garlic: four cloves, minced (because garlic makes everything better)
  • Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: a pinch (for a little kick)
  • Heavy Cream: one cup (the secret to that luscious sauce)
  • Parmesan Cheese: one cup, freshly grated (you can never have too much cheese)
  • Fresh Basil: a handful, chopped (for freshness and color)
  • Salt and Pepper: to taste (season to your liking)
  • Cherry Tomatoes: one cup, halved (optional but adds a nice touch)

Instructions
 

  • Cook the Shells
    Start by heating a sizable pot of waterwith salt until it reaches a vigorous boil. Once it’s boiling, add your shellpasta. Make sure to cook it according to the package instructions until itreaches that perfect al dente texture. This usually takes about eight to tenminutes, but be sure to check for doneness as pasta can vary.  Aftercooking, drain the shells and place them to the side.
  • Make the Sauce
    While your pasta is cooking, grab alarge skillet and heat up the olive oil over medium heat.  Incorporate theminced garlic along with a dash of crushed red pepper flakes. Sauté the garlicfor about one minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning. You want itfragrant and slightly golden, but not browned.
    Next, pour in the heavy cream. Stir themixture and let it simmer for a few minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.This is where the magic happens! Once your cream has thickened, gradually addin the freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Stir it well until the cheese has meltedcompletely into the sauce, creating a rich and creamy texture.
    Now, season the sauce with salt andpepper to taste. Remember, the cheese already adds some saltiness, so startwith a little and adjust as needed.
  • Combine Pasta and Sauce
    Now for the fun part! Gently add thecooked shell pasta to the sauce. Use tongs or a spatula to toss the shells inthe creamy goodness, ensuring every shell is nicely coated. If you decide toinclude cherry tomatoes, this is the moment to fold them in gently as well. Thewarm sauce will slightly soften the tomatoes, giving them a delicious burst offlavor.
  • Final Touches
    To finish off your beautiful shells andsauce, add a sprinkle of fresh basil on top and maybe a little extra-gratedParmesan for good measure. Serve immediately and watch your family dig in withsmiles on their faces!