Description
This Creamy Beef and Shells recipe is a quick and comforting one-pot meal featuring tender pasta shells, savory ground beef, and a rich, cheesy tomato sauce. It’s ready in just 30 minutes, making it the perfect go-to dinner for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces medium pasta shells
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 1 small sweet onion, diced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup beef stock
- 1 (15-ounce) can marinara sauce
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup sour cream
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1½ cups cheddar cheese, freshly grated
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente, following the package instructions. Drain well and set aside.
- Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned. Drain excess fat and set the beef aside.
- Sauté the Aromatics: In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook for 2 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Thicken the Sauce: Sprinkle the flour over the onion and garlic mixture, stirring constantly for about a minute to remove the raw flour taste.
- Add Liquids and Seasonings: Slowly pour in the beef stock, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Add the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, dried parsley, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and let the sauce simmer for 5-7 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Incorporate Cream and Cheese: Stir in the heavy cream and let it warm through. Add the cooked pasta and browned beef back into the skillet, tossing everything together. Stir in the sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese, mixing until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Serve Immediately: Remove from heat and serve while hot, garnished with additional parsley or grated cheese if desired.
Notes
- To prevent overcooked pasta, cook it just until al dente since it will continue absorbing sauce once mixed.
- If the sauce thickens too much after sitting, add a splash of beef stock or milk when reheating.
- For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños.
- Substitute ground turkey, chicken, or sausage for the beef for a different flavor.
- Swap cheddar cheese with Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or pepper jack for variation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 370mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 66mg