Creamy Beef and Shells is a cozy, satisfying dinner that brings together tender pasta shells and a rich, velvety beef sauce. Made with simple pantry ingredients and ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or when you need a comforting, family-friendly meal that everyone will love.
1 lb lean ground beef
8 oz medium pasta shells
1 cup heavy cream
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups low-sodium beef broth
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Cook the Pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta shells until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Brown the Beef:
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with the chopped onion and minced garlic until the beef is fully browned and the onion is soft. Drain any excess fat.
Build the Sauce:
Add the beef broth and Italian seasoning to the skillet. Stir well and let it simmer for 5 minutes to develop flavor.
Make It Creamy:
Reduce heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Simmer gently for another 5 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly.
Combine:
Add the cooked pasta shells to the skillet and gently fold until evenly coated in the creamy beef sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Serve:
Serve hot, garnished with extra Italian seasoning if desired.
Extra Creamy: Add a splash of milk or more cream if the sauce thickens too much.
Cheesy Upgrade: Stir in grated Parmesan or shredded cheddar for extra richness.
Add Veggies: Mushrooms, spinach, or peas blend beautifully into the sauce.
Lighter Option: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
Make It Spicy: Add red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne.
Find it online: https://chocotune.com/creamy-beef-and-shells-easy-comfort-food/