The Easy Family Favorite: Creamy Beef and Shells Recipe

Comfort food reaches new heights with this creamy beef and shells recipe that promises pure deliciousness.

Tender pasta shells cradle rich, seasoned ground beef in a velvety sauce that melts in your mouth.

Every forkful brings a burst of savory flavors that dance across your palate.

The combination of hearty beef and silky cheese creates a meal that feels like a warm embrace.

Weeknight dinners never looked so satisfying, with this simple yet incredibly flavorful dish.

Prepare to transform an ordinary evening into a culinary celebration that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Tips for Extra Creamy Shells and Savory Beef

• Shake off excess water thoroughly to prevent watery sauce and ensure shells hold sauce beautifully.
• Use higher fat ground beef (80/20) for richer taste and more juicy texture in the dish.
• Whisk flour and liquids slowly to prevent lumps and create smooth, velvety sauce texture.
• Remove skillet from heat when adding cheese to prevent separation and maintain creamy consistency.
• Swap pasta shells with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a keto-friendly version of the recipe.

How to Keep This Pasta Dish Fresh

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the dish fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled beef and shells to freezer-safe containers, where it can maintain quality for up to 2 months. Seal tightly to prevent freezer burn.
• Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of beef stock or cream to restore moisture and prevent sauce from separating. Stir frequently until heated thoroughly.
• Place portion in microwave-safe dish, cover with damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly and maintain creamy texture.

What Pairs Well With Beef and Shells

• Savory Wine Selection: Pair this hearty beef dish with a bold red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec, which complements the rich, meaty flavors and cuts through the creamy sauce.
• Crisp Salad Companion: Create a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the dish's richness, adding a fresh and tangy contrast that cleanses the palate between bites.
• Rustic Bread Sidekick: Serve warm garlic bread or crusty sourdough to soak up the delicious creamy sauce, providing a perfect textural companion that enhances the overall dining experience.
• Refreshing Drink Match: Opt for a craft beer like an amber ale or a hoppy IPA that can stand up to the robust beef and cheese flavors, providing a satisfying and complementary beverage.

Flavor Swaps for Creamy Beef and Shells

• Low-Carb Shell Swap: Replace pasta shells with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice for a keto-friendly version that reduces carbohydrates while maintaining the creamy beef flavor.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk and use dairy-free cheese alternatives like nutritional yeast or vegan cheese shreds to create a lactose-free meal.
• Lean Protein Option: Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef to lower fat content and create a lighter protein-based dish with similar rich taste profile.
• Vegetarian Transformation: Replace beef with plant-based ground meat alternatives like lentils, crumbled tofu, or textured vegetable protein to maintain the hearty texture while creating a meat-free meal.

FAQs

• What type of pasta works best for this recipe?

Shell pasta is ideal as its curved shape perfectly captures the creamy sauce and small beef pieces, creating a delicious bite every time.

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey is an excellent substitute. It will create a similar texture and absorb the same rich flavors as ground beef in the recipe.

• How can I make this dish spicier?

Add red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper during the seasoning stage to introduce some heat to the creamy sauce. You can also include a pinch of hot paprika for extra kick.

• Is this recipe budget-friendly?

Absolutely! This dish uses affordable ingredients like ground beef, pasta shells, and basic pantry seasonings, making it an economical meal that feeds multiple people without breaking the bank.

What Makes Creamy Beef and Shells So Comforting

• Quick Comfort Food Delight: Satisfy hunger with a creamy, hearty dish that combines tender pasta shells, juicy ground beef, and a rich, velvety sauce that feels like a warm hug.
• Customizable Culinary Experience: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping ground beef with ground turkey, adding extra vegetables, or adjusting spices to match your family's taste preferences.
• Crowd-Pleasing Pasta Perfection: Impress both kids and adults with a crowd-favorite recipe that balances classic flavors and creamy textures, making it ideal for family dinners or casual gatherings.

Ingredients for Beef and Shells Pasta

Main Ingredients:

• Pasta Shells: Curvy pasta perfect for holding onto delicious sauce.

• Ground Beef: Hearty protein that gives the dish its robust flavor.

• Heavy Cream: Silky base that makes the sauce luxuriously smooth.
• Sour Cream: Tangy addition that adds depth to the sauce.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheese that melts into creamy goodness.

• Onion, Garlic: Flavor-packed base that builds the dish's foundation.
• Italian Seasoning, Parsley, Oregano, Smoked Paprika: Herbs and spices that bring warmth and complexity.

• Beef Stock: Rich liquid that enhances the sauce's depth.
• Marinara Sauce: Tomato-based sauce that adds a classic touch.
• Olive Oil: Smooth cooking fat for sautéing.
• Flour: Thickening agent that helps create a smooth sauce.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing flavors.

Instructions for Creamy Beef Pasta Perfection

Step 1: Boil Pasta Shells

Grab a large pot and fill it with water.

Sprinkle in some salt and bring the water to a rolling boil.

Drop the pasta shells into the bubbling water and cook them until they’re perfectly tender.

Once done, drain the pasta and set it aside.

Step 2: Brown Ground Beef

Heat a splash of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Toss in the ground beef and cook it until it turns a delicious golden brown.

Use a wooden spoon to break the meat into tiny crumbles.

Drain away any extra fat and move the beef to a separate plate.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

In the same skillet, add diced onions and cook them until they become soft and translucent.

Toss in minced garlic and let it dance around the pan for a minute, releasing its amazing aroma.

Step 4: Create a Flavor Base

Sprinkle flour over the onions and garlic.

Whisk everything together, cooking for a minute to create a rich, golden base that will thicken our sauce beautifully.

Step 5: Build the Sauce

• Beef stock
• Marinara sauce
• Italian seasoning
• Fresh parsley
• Oregano
• Smoked paprika

Whisk everything together until smooth and well combined.

Step 6: Simmer and Develop Flavors

Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.

Let it bubble softly for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.

The sauce will start to thicken and become more intense in flavor.

Step 7: Combine Pasta and Beef

Return the cooked pasta and browned beef to the skillet.

Stir everything together, making sure each shell gets coated in the delicious sauce.

Step 8: Add Creamy Goodness

• Heavy cream
• Sour cream

Stir gently and let it simmer for a couple of minutes.

Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.

Step 9: Melt in the Cheese

Sprinkle in grated cheddar cheese.

Stir until the cheese melts completely, creating an incredibly smooth and rich sauce.

Step 10: Serve and Enjoy

Dish out the creamy beef and shells immediately.

If you’d like, garnish with some fresh chopped parsley.

Dive into this comforting, mouth-watering meal!

Creamy Beef And Shells Recipe

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4.8 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Comfort meets culinary magic in this irresistible creamy beef and shells pasta, where tender pasta shells cradle rich, seasoned ground beef in a luscious cheese sauce. Hearty and satisfying, you’ll savor each comforting bite of this classic one-pot wonder that promises pure deliciousness.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 1 pound ground beef

Main Carbohydrates:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) medium pasta shells

Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 small sweet onion, finely diced
• 5 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids and Dairy:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup beef stock
• 1 (15-ounce) can marinara sauce
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup sour cream

Thickeners and Cheese:

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups freshly grated cheddar cheese

Seasonings:

• Kosher salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare a generously salted water bath in a large pot and submerge pasta shells, cooking until they reach a perfect al dente texture. Remove and reserve.
2. Activate a skillet with olive oil over robust heat, introducing ground beef and transforming it into golden, crumbled morsels. Eliminate excess fat and temporarily relocate protein.
3. Utilize the same skillet to caramelize diced onions until translucent, then introduce minced garlic, releasing its aromatic essence briefly.
4. Dust the aromatic vegetable base with flour, whisking continuously to create a delicate golden roux that will anchor the sauce’s luxurious consistency.
5. Methodically incorporate beef stock, ensuring silky smoothness, then integrate marinara, herbaceous seasonings like Italian blend, parsley, oregano, and smoky paprika.
6. Allow the liquid mixture to reach a gentle bubble, then reduce to a contemplative simmer, allowing flavors to harmonize and sauce to slightly condense.
7. Reunite cooked pasta and browned beef within the skillet, choreographing a thorough sauce coating.
8. Stream heavy cream into the mixture, warming gently, then calibrate seasoning with salt and pepper. Fold in sour cream to amplify richness.
9. Introduce grated cheddar, stirring until completely dissolved and creating a velvety, cohesive sauce.
10. Transfer immediately to serving dishes, optionally embellishing with fresh parsley for a vibrant finishing touch.

Notes

• Opt for lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier version of this comforting dish.
• Toast the flour slightly longer to develop a deeper, nuttier flavor profile in the sauce.
• Experiment with different cheese combinations like sharp cheddar, monterey jack, or even pepper jack for varied taste experiences.
• Consider using gluten-free shells and a cornstarch slurry instead of flour for a celiac-friendly adaptation of the recipe.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 590
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 820 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg