Quick & Creamy Beef and Shells Recipe That Warms Your Soul

Whipping up a creamy beef and shells dish transforms weeknight dinners into a delightful culinary adventure.

Pasta lovers rejoice with this comforting one-pot wonder that promises maximum flavor and minimal cleanup.

Lean ground beef mingles perfectly with tender pasta shells, creating a rich and satisfying meal.

Cheese lovers will adore the velvety sauce that coats each shell with pure deliciousness.

Simple ingredients come together in less than thirty minutes, making this recipe a go-to for busy home cooks.

Hearty and indulgent, this dish delivers serious comfort without complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.

You’ll want to dive right in and savor every single cheesy, meaty bite.

What Makes Creamy Beef And Shells So Good

• Savor Quick Comfort: A hearty one-pan meal that delivers rich, creamy flavors with minimal kitchen effort, perfect for satisfying hungry families.
• Master Easy Technique: Beginner-friendly recipe requiring simple cooking skills, allowing even novice cooks to create a restaurant-quality dish without complex steps.
• Customize Your Meal: Flexible recipe that welcomes personal touches like adding extra vegetables, changing cheese types, or adjusting spice levels to match individual preferences.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dinner Solution: Ideal for weeknight meals, potlucks, and gatherings where everyone craves a delicious, filling pasta dish that appeals to both kids and adults.

Ingredients for Creamy Beef And Shells Recipe

• Pasta Shells: Classic pasta shape that holds creamy sauce perfectly.
• Ground Beef: Hearty protein that provides rich flavor to the dish.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a luxurious and smooth sauce base.
• Cheddar Cheese: Adds sharp and tangy flavor to the creamy sauce.

• Onion, Garlic: Foundational ingredients that build deep flavor profile.
• Italian Seasoning, Paprika, Salt, Pepper: Essential spices that enhance overall taste.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrated tomato flavor that adds depth to the sauce.

• Beef Broth: Provides additional savory flavor and helps create sauce consistency.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds nutty and salty undertones to the final dish.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing aromatics and preventing sticking.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright garnish that adds color and fresh herb notes.

How to Cook Creamy Beef And Shells Recipe

Step 1: Boil The Pasta

Cook the shell pasta in salted water until perfectly tender. Drain and set the pasta aside, keeping it ready for the delicious sauce.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatics

Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Toss in diced onions and minced garlic, cooking until they become soft and fragrant.

Step 3: Brown The Beef

Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into small crumbles. Cook until the meat is completely browned and no pink remains.

Drain away any excess fat to keep the dish light.

Step 4: Spice It Up

• Tomato paste
• Italian seasoning
• Paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper

Cook the mixture for 2 minutes to develop a rich, deep flavor profile.

Step 5: Create The Sauce Base

Pour beef broth into the skillet and let it simmer. Allow the sauce to reduce and thicken for about 5 minutes, concentrating the delicious meaty flavors.

Step 6: Make It Creamy

• Heavy cream
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Grated Parmesan cheese

Stir continuously until the sauce becomes smooth and luxuriously creamy.

Step 7: Combine Pasta And Sauce

Gently fold the cooked pasta shells into the creamy beef sauce.

Ensure each shell is perfectly coated with the rich, cheesy mixture.

Step 8: Finish And Serve

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top for a burst of color and freshness.

Serve the dish piping hot and enjoy the ultimate comfort meal.

Helpful Tips for Creamy Beef And Shells Recipe

• Choose high-quality ground beef with moderate fat content for better flavor and richness.
• Cook pasta slightly under al dente since it will continue absorbing sauce while mixing.
• Let the beef broth reduce naturally to concentrate deeper savory flavors before adding cream.
• Grate cheese fresh for superior melting and smoother sauce texture compared to pre-shredded varieties.
• Use low heat when incorporating cheese to prevent separation and maintain silky consistency.

Flavor Variations for Creamy Beef And Shells Recipe

• Low-Carb Shell Swap: Replace pasta shells with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a keto-friendly version that reduces carbohydrates while maintaining the creamy beef flavor.
• Dairy-Free Makeover: Substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and use nutritional yeast instead of cheese to create a lactose-free alternative that still delivers rich, comforting taste.
• Spicy Southwest Spin: Add diced green chilies, swap Italian seasoning for taco seasoning, and top with fresh jalapeños to transform the dish into a zesty Mexican-inspired meal.
• Vegetarian Protein Option: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils, maintaining the creamy sauce and shell pasta structure for a meatless protein-packed dinner.

Pairing Suggestions for Creamy Beef And Shells Recipe

• Cozy Family Dinner Delight: Serve this hearty pasta in deep ceramic bowls for a comforting family meal that brings everyone together around the table.
• Meal Prep Champion: Portion the creamy beef and shells into meal prep containers for easy lunches during the week, storing in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Game Night Appetizer Twist: Transform the recipe into bite-sized shells by using mini pasta shells, serving as a delicious crowd-pleasing appetizer with toothpicks for easy grabbing during movie or game nights.
• Rustic Dinner Party Star: Plate the dish in cast-iron skillets for a rustic presentation, garnishing with extra fresh parsley and a sprinkle of additional Parmesan cheese to impress dinner guests.

Proper Storage for Creamy Beef And Shells Recipe

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Store creamy beef and shells in the refrigerator for 3-4 days maximum.
• Keep the dish sealed tightly to preserve moisture and prevent odor absorption from other foods.

FAQs

• What type of ground beef works best for this recipe?

Choose lean ground beef with 80% to 85% meat content. This ensures a good balance of flavor and prevents excess grease in the dish.

• Can I use different types of pasta?

While shell pasta is recommended, you can substitute with medium-sized pasta like elbow macaroni or rigatoni that hold sauce well and provide similar texture.

• Is it possible to make this recipe healthier?

Reduce fat content by using ground turkey instead of beef, selecting low-fat cheese options, and using half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter version.

• How can I enhance the flavor profile?

Consider adding red pepper flakes for heat, using smoked paprika for deeper flavor, or incorporating fresh herbs like thyme or oregano to elevate the overall taste of the dish.

Quick Beef And Shells Recipe

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4.7 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy beef and shells recipe delivers ultimate comfort on a plate, blending hearty ground beef with tender pasta shells. Cheesy, rich flavors meld perfectly for a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound ground beef

Pasta:

• 1 pound medium shell pasta

Aromatics and Vegetables:

• 1 medium onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Sauce and Cheese Components:

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese (grated)

Seasonings:

• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Garnish:

• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (optional)

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Instructions

1. Boil shell pasta in salted water for 8-9 minutes until perfectly tender, then drain and reserve.
2. Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature, sautéing diced onions and minced garlic until translucent and fragrant.
3. Introduce ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into fine crumbles while cooking until rich brown and completely cooked through.
4. Eliminate excess grease from the meat, then incorporate tomato paste and aromatic spices, stirring continuously for 2 minutes to develop deep flavor profiles.
5. Stream beef broth into the skillet, allowing the mixture to gently simmer and reduce for approximately 5 minutes, creating a concentrated sauce.
6. Reduce heat to low, introducing heavy cream and gradually melting shredded cheddar and Parmesan cheeses until the sauce transforms into a velvety, uniform consistency.
7. Fold cooked pasta shells into the creamy sauce, ensuring each shell is luxuriously coated with the rich, cheesy mixture.
8. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley across the top for a vibrant finish, then serve immediately while piping hot.

Notes

• Rinse pasta shells briefly in cold water after draining to prevent sticking and maintain their perfect texture.
• Use lean ground beef (90/10) to reduce excess grease while keeping the dish flavorful and less fatty.
• Grate cheese fresh for maximum melting potential and richer, more complex flavor compared to pre-shredded varieties.
• Allow the dish to rest for 2-3 minutes after cooking to help the sauce thicken and settle, creating a more cohesive meal.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg