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Creamy Beef and Shells

Tender ground beef and shell pasta in a rich, creamy sauce - the ultimate one-pot comfort food dinner.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 485

Ingredients
  

Main Dish
  • 1 pound ground beef 80/20 blend
  • 12 oz large shell pasta
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 large onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 can diced tomatoes 14.5 oz, drained
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp butter
Seasonings
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning dried
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 0.5 tsp oregano dried
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp salt or to taste
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes optional
Garnish
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven
  • Wooden spoon
  • Colander

Method
 

  1. Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Cook shell pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook 6-8 minutes, breaking up with wooden spoon until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Add butter to the same pan. Once melted, add diced onion and cook 4-5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Stir in Italian seasoning, paprika, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook 30 seconds until aromatic.
  5. Pour in beef broth and drained tomatoes. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook 3-4 minutes to meld flavors.
  6. Reduce heat to medium-low and slowly add heavy cream, stirring constantly. Simmer gently 5-6 minutes until sauce begins to thicken.
  7. Remove from heat and gradually add cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, stirring until melted and smooth. Add pasta water if sauce is too thick.
  8. Add cooked pasta to the creamy beef mixture, folding gently until well coated. Let stand 2-3 minutes to absorb flavors.
  9. Taste and adjust seasonings. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately while hot and creamy.

Notes

For best results, use 80/20 ground beef for optimal flavor. Don't skip the pasta water - it helps bind the sauce. Store leftovers in refrigerator for up to 3 days.