Creamy Beef and Shells Recipe
Creamy Beef and Shells is a comforting one-pot pasta dish featuring tender ground beef, savory tomato sauce, and rich heavy cream combined with perfectly cooked medium pasta shells. Infused with Italian seasoning and garlic, this hearty meal delivers perfect creamy texture and balanced flavors ideal for a satisfying family dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces medium pasta shells
Beef and Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 medium sweet onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef stock
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta shells: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the medium pasta shells and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Sauté the aromatics and beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium heat. Add the diced sweet onion and minced garlic, sautéing until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook until browned and no longer pink.
- Season and thicken the sauce: Sprinkle Italian seasoning and all-purpose flour over the cooked beef mixture, stirring to combine and cook the flour for 1-2 minutes to remove the raw taste.
- Add liquids and simmer: Pour in the beef stock and tomato sauce, stirring to incorporate. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for around 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Incorporate cream and pasta: Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream until the sauce becomes creamy and smooth. Add the cooked pasta shells to the sauce, tossing gently to coat evenly. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve warm: Once combined and heated through, remove from heat and serve immediately, optionally garnished with fresh herbs like parsley or grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Use medium pasta shells as they hold the creamy sauce well for an enjoyable texture.
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey for a leaner option.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, adding extra Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes for a spicier kick.
- For a lower-fat version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a milk alternative, noting the sauce will be lighter.
- To make ahead, prepare the sauce and beef mixture; cook pasta separately, then combine and reheat gently before serving.
Keywords: creamy beef pasta, pasta shells with beef sauce, Italian beef pasta, comfort food, one-pot pasta dish
Find it online: https://bitesizedbenny.com/creamy-beef-and-shells-recipe/
