Creamy Beef and Shells Recipe

Introduction

Creamy Beef and Shells is a comforting pasta dish combining tender ground beef, a rich tomato cream sauce, and tender medium pasta shells. It’s a delicious and satisfying meal perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinners at home.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces medium pasta shells
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 small sweet onion, diced
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup beef stock
• 1 (15oz can) marinara sauce
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, freshly grated

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cook pasta according to package instructions in a large pot of boiling salted water. Drain well and set aside.
2. Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Drain excess fat and set beef aside.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add diced onion and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4. Step 4: Whisk in flour and cook until lightly browned, about 1 minute.
5. Step 5: Gradually whisk in beef stock, stirring to combine. Add marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, dried parsley, oregano, and smoked paprika. Stir well.
6. Step 6: Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce is slightly thickened, about 6-8 minutes.
7. Step 7: Stir cooked pasta and reserved beef into the sauce.
8. Step 8: Stir in heavy cream and heat through, about 1-2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
9. Step 9: Add sour cream and stir until combined.
10. Step 10: Fold in cheddar cheese and cook until melted, about 1-2 minutes.
11. Step 11: Serve immediately. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Tips & Variations

• For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and use reduced-fat cheddar cheese.
• Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for a subtle spicy kick.
• Mix in some sautéed mushrooms or bell peppers with the onions for extra veggies.
• Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a leaner protein option.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of beef stock or cream to loosen the sauce if needed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, other short pasta shapes like penne, rigatoni, or rotini work well and hold the sauce nicely.

Is this recipe freezer-friendly?

This dish can be frozen, but the cream sauce may separate slightly upon thawing. Reheat slowly while stirring and consider adding a little fresh cream or milk to restore creaminess.

Creamy Beef and Shells Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 210 reviews

This Creamy Beef and Shells recipe combines tender pasta shells with a rich, savory beef and tomato sauce enriched by heavy cream and sour cream for extra creaminess. Flavored with aromatic herbs and spices, topped with melted cheddar cheese, it’s a comforting, hearty meal perfect for weeknight dinners.

• Author: Dylan
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta

• 8 ounces medium pasta shells

Beef and Sauce

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 small sweet onion, diced
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup beef stock
• 1 (15oz) can marinara sauce
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Cream and Cheese

• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, freshly grated

Instructions

1. Cook pasta: Cook the pasta shells according to package instructions in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
2. Brown the beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Drain excess fat and set the beef aside.
3. Sauté onion and garlic: In the same skillet, add the diced sweet onion and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4. Add flour: Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for about 1 minute until lightly browned to form a roux.
5. Add liquids and spices: Gradually whisk in the beef stock to combine smoothly. Add the marinara sauce along with Italian seasoning, dried parsley, oregano, and smoked paprika. Stir well.
6. Simmer sauce: Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is reduced and slightly thickened, about 6-8 minutes.
7. Combine pasta and beef: Stir the cooked pasta into the sauce, then add the browned beef back into the skillet.
8. Add cream: Stir in the heavy cream and heat through for 1-2 minutes. Adjust seasoning with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
9. Add sour cream: Stir in the sour cream until well combined.
10. Melt cheese: Fold in the freshly grated cheddar cheese until melted and the mixture is creamy, about 1-2 minutes.
11. Serve: Serve immediately, optionally garnished with additional parsley for a fresh touch.

Notes

• Use medium pasta shells to hold the creamy sauce well.
• Drain excess beef fat to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
• Simmering the sauce helps deepen the flavors and thicken the texture.
• Adjust the seasoning after adding cream as it can mellow flavors.
• For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, though the dish will be less rich.

Keywords: creamy beef pasta, beef and shells, cheesy beef pasta, easy dinner recipe, one skillet meal