Description
Creamy Beef and Shells is a comforting American main course featuring tender pasta shells coated in a rich, cheesy beef sauce. This easy stovetop recipe combines browned ground beef, aromatic onions and garlic, flavorful spices, and a creamy blend of tomato sauce, heavy cream, and cheddar cheese. Perfect for family dinners, it offers a hearty and satisfying meal with options to customize for lighter versions or extra vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients
- 12 oz medium pasta shells
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- Chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside for later incorporation.
- Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook it for about 5 to 6 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon until browned. Once cooked, drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, allowing the garlic to become fragrant without burning.
- Season and Thicken: Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, paprika, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Stir to combine. Then add the all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste and help thicken the sauce.
- Add Liquids and Simmer: Gradually whisk in the beef broth and tomato sauce. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and flavors to meld.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta shells into the skillet, stirring well to coat the pasta thoroughly with the creamy beef sauce.
- Season and Garnish: Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired, then serve warm.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- Ground turkey or chicken can be used in place of ground beef for variation.
- Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach to increase vegetable content and flavor.
