Creamy Beef and Shells Recipe
Creamy Beef and Shells is a comforting and hearty pasta dish featuring tender ground beef and medium pasta shells simmered in a rich, creamy sauce made with heavy cream and Italian seasoning. This simple yet flavorful recipe is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Pasta
- 8 oz medium pasta shells
Liquids and Seasonings
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the medium pasta shells. Cook until al dente, according to package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta well and set aside.
- Brown Beef and Aromatics: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the lean ground beef, finely chopped yellow onion, and minced garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fully browned and the onions are softened, about 7-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Simmer with Broth and Seasoning: Pour in 2 cups of low-sodium beef broth and add 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning. Stir well and let the mixture simmer gently for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Add Cream and Thicken Sauce: Reduce heat to low and stir in 1 cup of heavy cream. Continue to simmer the sauce on low heat for another 5 minutes until it thickens slightly, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking or burning.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Gently fold the cooked pasta shells into the creamy beef sauce until the pasta is fully coated. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve: Serve the creamy beef and shells hot, optionally garnished with a sprinkle of extra Italian seasoning for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Use low-sodium beef broth to better control the salt content of the dish.
- You can add freshly chopped parsley or grated Parmesan cheese on top for extra flavor and garnish.
- Make sure to drain the cooked pasta well to avoid a watery sauce.
- This recipe can be made ahead and reheated gently on the stovetop with a splash of beef broth or cream to loosen the sauce.
Keywords: creamy beef pasta, beef and shells, creamy beef pasta shells, easy ground beef pasta, weeknight pasta recipe
Find it online: https://dailysimplerecipe.com/creamy-beef-and-shells-recipe/
