Creamy Beef and Shells
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 can tomato sauce
15-ounce
- 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
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
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
Sprinkle the flour over the beef mixture, stir to combine, and cook for 2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
- 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
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
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
Stir the cheese into the dish and serve with chopped fresh parsley. Enjoy!
Creamy Beef and Shells
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About this Recipe
Searching for that perfect comforting dish that comes together quickly on a busy weeknight? This one-pot Creamy Beef and Shells recipe delivers hearty flavor and ultimate satisfaction without the fuss.
What makes this recipe a true weeknight hero is its clever one-pot design, meaning less cleanup and more time enjoying a delicious meal. The rich combination of seasoned ground beef, tender pasta shells, and a velvety cream sauce creates a truly budget-friendly and deeply comforting experience that's hard to beat.
Imagine a bowl filled with succulent, seasoned ground beef mingling with perfectly cooked medium pasta shells, all enveloped in a lush, savory tomato-based cream sauce. The subtle warmth from paprika and Italian seasoning complements the beef, while a hint of mustard powder adds unexpected depth. You'll find yourself diving into a dish that's both creamy and substantial, finished with a bright flourish of fresh parsley. It's the kind of hearty, home-style meal that warms you from the inside out, ideal for family dinners when you need something genuinely satisfying and easy.
Feel free to customize this versatile dish. For a different protein, ground turkey or sausage could be substituted for the beef. To adjust the creaminess, you could experiment with milk or half-and-half, though the heavy cream provides optimal richness. Don't have Italian seasoning? A blend of dried oregano and basil works well. A touch of grated Parmesan cheese stirred in at the end alongside the cheddar would also be a delicious addition for extra cheesy flavor.
This Creamy Beef and Shells is the quintessential family-friendly dinner, perfect for a cozy evening at home. Serve it as a complete meal, or alongside a simple green salad to round out your plate.