Description
Looking for a dinner that’s fast, comforting, and deeply satisfying? This Creamy Beef and Shells recipe is your new go-to. It combines tender shell pasta with seasoned ground beef and a velvety tomato cream sauce for the ultimate cozy meal. The entire dish comes together in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends. This one-pan pasta recipe is everything you want in an easy dinner—hearty, creamy, and packed with flavor. Whether you’re feeding a family or craving comfort food, it delivers. Think of it as your weeknight hero for easy dinner ideas, quick pasta recipes, and satisfying food ideas that taste like home.
Ingredients
8 ounces medium pasta shells
1 pound ground beef
1 cup diced yellow onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon paprika
1 cup beef broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)
Instructions
1. Boil the shell pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water and drain the rest.
2. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
3. Add diced onion and minced garlic to the beef and sauté until softened and fragrant.
4. Stir in tomato paste, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute to blend the flavors.
5. Pour in beef broth and heavy cream. Stir and bring to a simmer until the sauce thickens slightly.
6. Lower the heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
7. Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly. Add pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
8. Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
Notes
For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the seasonings.
Don’t overcook the pasta—slightly firm shells hold up better in the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 115mg