Conchitas with Ground Beef Recipe

Introduction

Conchitas with Ground Beef is a comforting Mexican stew featuring tender conchas shells pasta simmered in a rich, flavorful beef sauce. This hearty dish blends savory spices, fresh vegetables, and ground beef for a satisfying meal perfect for family dinners.

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 ½ pounds ground beef
• 3 cups medium conchas shells (uncooked)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 Roma tomatoes, quartered
• ¾ cup white onion, chopped
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ½ cup tomato sauce
• ¾ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon oregano
• ¾ cup frozen carrots
• 3 bay leaves
• Jalapeños and corn (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Step 2: Add the ground beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and no longer pink. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Step 3: Stir in the conchas shells, minced garlic, quartered tomatoes, chicken broth, tomato sauce, and ground cumin. Mix well to combine.
4. Step 4: Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
5. Step 5: Add oregano, frozen carrots, optional jalapeños and corn, and bay leaves. Continue simmering for another 15 minutes, until the conchas shells are tender.
6. Step 6: Stir in the chopped white onion and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the onion softens.
7. Step 7: Remove bay leaves and serve hot over cooked white rice.

Tips & Variations

• For added depth, sauté the garlic and onions before adding the ground beef.
• Replace frozen carrots with fresh diced carrots for a sweeter note.
• Add chopped zucchini along with the carrots for more vegetable variety.
• Adjust the heat by adding more or fewer jalapeños according to your preference.
• Use ground turkey or chicken as a lighter alternative to beef.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce thickens too much. This dish can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw overnight before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta if I don’t have conchas shells?

Yes, small pasta shapes like shells, or even elbow macaroni, work well as substitutes if conchas shells are unavailable.

Is this dish spicy?

The dish is mild by default but can be made spicier by adding jalapeños or more ground black pepper according to your taste.

Conchitas with Ground Beef Recipe

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4.9 from 606 reviews

Conchitas with Ground Beef is a hearty Mexican-inspired dish featuring tender conchas shells cooked with ground beef, tomatoes, aromatic spices, and vegetables. This comforting stew combines rich flavors and a variety of textures, finished off with a touch of fresh onion and served best over steamed white rice.

• Author: Clara
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons Olive Oil
• 1 ½ pounds Ground Beef
• 3 cups medium conchas shells (uncooked)
• 3 cloves minced Garlic
• 6 Roma Tomatoes, quartered
• ¾ cup White Onion, chopped
• ½ cup Chicken Broth
• ½ cup Tomato Sauce
• ¾ teaspoon Ground Cumin
• ½ teaspoon Oregano
• ¾ cup Frozen Carrots
• 3 Bay Leaves
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Optional Ingredients

• Jalapeños (to taste)
• Corn (to taste)

Instructions

1. Preheat and Brown Beef: Begin by heating a large pot over medium heat and adding the olive oil. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until fully browned and no longer pink. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
2. Add Shells and Aromatics: Stir in the conchas shells, minced garlic, quartered Roma tomatoes, chicken broth, tomato sauce, and ground cumin. Mix well to combine all ingredients.
3. Simmer First Phase: Reduce heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to allow the flavors to meld.
4. Add Vegetables and Herbs: Incorporate oregano, frozen carrots, any optional zucchini if desired, and bay leaves into the pot. Continue simmering for another 15 minutes or until the conchas shells are tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
5. Add Onions and Final Simmer: Finally, add the chopped white onion and simmer the dish for an additional 5 minutes until the onions soften and release their flavor.
6. Serve: Remove bay leaves and serve the conchitas with ground beef hot, paired best over cooked white rice. Add jalapeños and corn if using for extra flavor and texture.

Notes

• You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a lighter flavor or to make it suitable for poultry-free diets.
• Adjust the amount of jalapeños and corn depending on your spice preference and sweetness desired.
• Ensure stirring occasionally in simmer phases to prevent sticking and promote even cooking.
• Use fresh tomatoes if possible for better texture and flavor, but canned tomatoes can be a convenient alternative.
• This dish can be made in advance and reheated; flavors tend to deepen after sitting.

Keywords: conchitas, ground beef stew, Mexican recipe, conchas shells, comfort food, one-pot meal, tomato sauce stew