Creamy Beef and Shells

Creamy Beef and Shells

from insanelygoodrecipes.com
40 min

The next time you need a quick and easy weeknight dinner, make this one-pot creamy beef and shells. It's heart, budget-friendly, and super comforting.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/2 cups beef broth
  • 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 8 ounces medium pasta shells, uncooked
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream, room temperature
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Directions

  1. 1

    In a large skillet, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat (optional).

  2. 2

    Add the diced onion and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Then, stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, mustard powder, salt, and pepper. Cook until fragrant.

  3. 3

    Sprinkle the flour over the beef mixture, stir to combine, and cook for 2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.

  4. 4

    Gradually add the beef broth, followed by the tomato sauce, stirring continuously. Turn the heat to medium-high and bring the liquid to a boil.

  5. 5

    Add the pasta, stir well, then add the lid and reduce the heat to medium. Let simmer for 10-12 minutes or until the pasta is tender. Stir every few minutes to keep the pasta from sticking.

  6. 6

    When the pasta is cooked, add the heavy cream and stir. Top the dish with the cheese, cover with a lid, and leave to melt for 2-3 minutes.

  7. 7

    Stir the cheese into the dish and serve with chopped fresh parsley. Enjoy!