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Creamy Beef and Shells Recipe

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★★★★★

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://dinewithdylan.com/creamy-beef-and-shells-recipe/