Description
Easy Creamy Beef and Shells: Rich, comforting pasta dish with ground beef and cheese sauce. Quick, crowd-pleasing recipe for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio works best)
- 8 oz medium pasta shells
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Base Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Season with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Brown the beef thoroughly, about 5-6 minutes, until you see caramelized edges forming. Those browned bits are flavor gold for your **Easy Creamy Beef and Shells**! Drain excess fat if needed, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan for flavor.
- Step 2: Build the Aromatics Reduce heat to medium and add the diced onions to the beef. Cook for 3-4 minutes until they become translucent and soft. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant – watching carefully as garlic burns easily. Stir in the tomato paste and Italian seasoning, cooking for 1-2 minutes until the tomato paste darkens slightly, intensifying the umami foundation of your **beef and shells dinner**.
- Step 3: Create the Sauce Base Pour in the beef broth, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan – this deglazing step incorporates those concentrated flavors into your sauce. Bring to a gentle boil, then add the pasta shells. Stir well to ensure all shells are submerged in the broth. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is almost tender.
- Step 4: Finish with Creaminess When the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed, reduce heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and let it simmer gently for 2 minutes. Remove the pan from heat and gradually add the shredded cheddar and Parmesan, stirring constantly until completely melted and the sauce is silky smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Step 5: Serve and Garnish Let the **creamy beef pasta** stand for 5 minutes before serving – this resting period allows the sauce to thicken to the perfect consistency and the flavors to meld together. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and fresh flavor contrast. Serve immediately in warmed bowls for the ultimate comfort food experience.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 1050mg
- Fat: 42g
- Saturated Fat: 23g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 130mg