Creamy Beef and Shells Recipe

Introduction

Creamy Beef and Shells is a hearty, comforting pasta dish that combines tender ground beef with a rich, cheesy tomato sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners, this recipe delivers bold flavors and a satisfying texture that everyone will love.

Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground beef (85% lean)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 small yellow onion, diced (or 1 tsp onion powder)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced (or ½ tsp garlic powder)
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon mustard powder
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 tablespoon flour (optional, helps thicken the sauce)
• 1 cup beef broth
• 16 oz. tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup half and half
• 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ pound medium shell pasta
• Fresh parsley, for garnish
• Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

1. Step 1: Shred the cheddar cheese and prepare all ingredients before starting. Begin heating a large pot of water for boiling the pasta.
2. Step 2: Season the ground beef with salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the beef. Cook and crumble for about 4 minutes.
3. Step 3: Add the diced onions to the skillet and cook for another 5 minutes, until the onions are softened and the beef is fully cooked. Drain excess grease.
4. Step 4: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Step 5: Add hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, mustard powder, red pepper flakes, and flour. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring well.
6. Step 6: Pour in the beef broth, scraping the bottom of the skillet with a spatula to loosen any browned bits.
7. Step 7: Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, and softened cream cheese. Let the sauce simmer gently while you cook the medium shell pasta in boiling water for 7-8 minutes or according to package instructions. You may add a few teaspoons of salt to the pasta water if desired.
8. Step 8: Reduce heat to low. Stir in the half and half. Remove the skillet from the heat and gradually mix in the shredded cheddar cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
9. Step 9: Drain the cooked pasta and add it to the skillet. Stir gently to combine everything well.
10. Step 10: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with garlic bread. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Tips & Variations

• For a thicker sauce, be sure to include the optional flour and cook it well before adding liquids.
• You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
• Add sautéed mushrooms or bell peppers for extra veggies and flavor.
• Use different cheeses like mozzarella or pepper jack for a twist.
• Leftover sauce can be frozen before adding pasta for easy future meals.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce if needed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, any short pasta like penne, rotini, or rigatoni works well with this creamy sauce.

Is this dish spicy?

The recipe has a mild heat from the hot sauce and optional red pepper flakes. Adjust or omit these ingredients to suit your taste.

Creamy Beef and Shells Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 66 reviews

• Author: Luna
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

Creamy Beef and Shells is a comforting skillet meal featuring seasoned ground beef simmered in a rich tomato and cream cheese sauce, combined with tender shell pasta and melted cheddar cheese. This hearty dish is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Beef Mixture

• 1 lb. ground beef (85% lean)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 small yellow onion, diced (or 1 tsp onion powder)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced (or ½ tsp garlic powder)
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon mustard powder
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 tablespoon flour (optional, helps thicken the sauce)

Sauce

• 1 cup beef broth
• 16 oz. tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup half and half
• 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese

Pasta and Garnish

• ½ pound medium shell pasta
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)

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Instructions

1. Prepare Ingredients: Shred the cheddar cheese and measure out all ingredients. Begin heating a large pot of water for boiling the pasta.
2. Cook Ground Beef and Onions: Season ground beef with salt and pepper. Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the beef, and cook while crumbling for about 4 minutes. Add diced onions and continue cooking for 5 more minutes until onions are softened and beef is fully cooked. Drain excess grease from the skillet.
3. Add Garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Incorporate Seasonings and Flour: Add hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, mustard powder, red pepper flakes (if using), and flour. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes to combine flavors and slightly thicken the mixture.
5. Add Broth and Scrape Skillet: Pour in beef broth and use a silicone spatula to scrape the bottom of the skillet to release any browned bits.
6. Add Tomato and Cream Cheese Sauce: Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, and softened cream cheese. Let the sauce simmer gently while the pasta cooks.
7. Cook Pasta: Boil the shell pasta in the prepared water for 7 to 8 minutes or according to package instructions. Optionally add a few teaspoons of salt to the boiling water. Drain pasta once cooked.
8. Finish Sauce: Reduce heat to low, stir in half and half. Remove skillet from heat and gradually stir in shredded cheddar cheese until the sauce is well combined and creamy.
9. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and stir well to coat evenly with the cheesy beef sauce.
10. Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with garlic bread topped with cheese and freshly grated Parmesan cheese on the side.

Notes

• For a thicker sauce, keep the optional flour in the recipe; omit for a lighter sauce.
• Use 85% lean ground beef for a balance of flavor and fat; leaner beef may result in a drier dish.
• Adjust hot sauce and red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
• Fresh garlic and onions provide better flavor than powders, but powders can be substituted if needed.
• Be careful not to overcook the pasta to maintain a firm yet tender texture.
• Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: creamy beef pasta, beef shells recipe, cheesy beef pasta, ground beef dinner, quick creamy pasta, one skillet meal