Creamy Beef and Shells Recipe
This Creamy Beef and Shells recipe combines tender ground beef with al dente pasta shells in a rich and luscious heavy cream sauce infused with garlic, onion, and Italian seasoning. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, it offers a hearty and flavorful meal that’s easy to prepare and satisfying.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Sauce
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pasta
- 8 oz medium pasta shells
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the medium pasta shells and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Brown the beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the lean ground beef, finely chopped onion, and minced garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fully cooked and no longer pink, and the onions have softened. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Simmer with broth and seasoning: Add the low-sodium beef broth and Italian seasoning to the skillet with the browned beef. Stir to combine and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to develop the flavors.
- Add the cream: Stir in the heavy cream and reduce the heat to low. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Gently fold the cooked pasta shells into the creamy beef sauce until they are well coated. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve: Serve the creamy beef and shells hot, garnished with an extra sprinkle of Italian seasoning for added flavor and aroma.
Notes
- For a lighter version, you can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce will be less thick.
- Use low-sodium beef broth to better control the salt level in the dish.
- The cooking time for pasta may vary slightly depending on the brand; always check for al dente texture.
- Optional: Add grated Parmesan cheese on top when serving for extra richness.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
Keywords: creamy beef pasta, ground beef recipe, pasta shells recipe, easy dinner, comforting meal, Italian seasoning, one-skillet meal
Find it online: https://bitesizedbenny.com/creamy-beef-and-shells-recipe-2/
