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Creamy Beef and Shells Recipe

Creamy Beef and Shells Recipe
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★★★★★

4.8 from 24 reviews

Creamy Beef and Shells is a comforting, hearty pasta dish featuring tender ground beef, savory tomato sauce, and gooey cheddar cheese all combined with medium pasta shells in a rich, creamy sauce. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or family meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 8 ounces medium pasta shells

Beef Mixture

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 medium sweet onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups beef stock
  • 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 6 ounces shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese (about 1 1/2 cups)

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente; drain well and set aside.
  2. Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes, crumbling the meat with a spoon as it cooks. Drain excess fat and set beef aside.
  3. Sauté Onion: In the same skillet, add diced onion and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
  4. Add Garlic and Seasoning: Stir in minced garlic and Italian seasoning, cooking until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  5. Make Roux: Whisk in the flour and cook until lightly browned, about 1 minute, to thicken the sauce.
  6. Add Liquids and Simmer: Gradually whisk in beef stock and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is reduced and slightly thickened, about 6-8 minutes.
  7. Combine Pasta and Cream: Stir in cooked pasta, browned beef, and heavy cream. Heat through for about 1-2 minutes. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  8. Melt Cheese: Stir in shredded cheddar cheese and cook until melted, about 2 minutes. Serve immediately while hot and creamy.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for leaner protein options.
  • Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter version, but the sauce will be less rich.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace beef with sautéed mushrooms and use vegetable broth.
  • Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat gently on the stove or microwave.
  • Add extra Italian seasoning or a pinch of red pepper flakes for more flavor and heat.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy beef pasta, shell pasta recipe, cheesy beef shells, easy pasta dinner, comfort food pasta

Find it online: https://tastewithamy.com/creamy-beef-and-shells-recipe/