creamy beef and shells
Creamy beef and shells combines tender ground beef, pasta shells and rich cheese sauce for an easy, family-friendly dinner in under 30 minutes.
Equipment
- Large skillet (at least 12‑inch)
- Large pot for boiling pasta shells (optional, for cook pasta separately)
- Wooden spoon or heat‑proof spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef or lean ground beef
- 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet
- 1 medium onion diced
- 3 –5 garlic cloves minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 24‑ounce jar tomato sauce
- 1 cup beef broth or beef stock
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 ounces pasta shells shell pasta
- 1/2 cup cream cheese softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese plus extra for topping
- Optional: 1/2 cup sour cream
Instructions
Brown the ground beef
- Heat your large skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil in a large skillet. Once hot, add ground beef. Cook, stirring, until the beef is no longer pink and no excess fat remains (about 5–7 minutes). Use a spatula to break up any large chunks. Drain excess fat if needed.
Add aromatics
- Push the beef to one side of the skillet. Add diced onion and minced garlic. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring, until fragrant and the onion starts to soften. If using garlic powder instead of fresh garlic, add it along with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Build the sauce
- Stir in tomato sauce and beef broth. Bring to a gentle simmer.
Cook the pasta shells. Option A
- Add uncooked pasta shells directly to skillet. Cover and cook for about 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until shells are al dente.
- Option B
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta shells according to package directions for al dente. Drain and set aside.
Finish the sauce
- Lower heat to medium‑low. Stir in heavy cream and cream cheese. Continue to cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring, until the sauce thickens and the cream cheese melts fully
- If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of beef broth.
- Add cheese
- Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth. For extra cheesiness, top each serving with more cheddar.
Adjust seasoning
- Taste and add salt, pepper, or Italian seasoning as needed. Let the sauce simmer for another minute.
Serve
- Spoon creamy beef and shells into bowls. Garnish with chopped parsley or fresh basil, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition Information (per serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 510 kcal |
| Total Fat | 28 g |
| └ Saturated Fat | 14 g |
| Cholesterol | 85 mg |
| Sodium | 720 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 45 g |
| └ Dietary Fiber | 3 g |
| └ Sugars | 5 g |
| Protein | 24 g |
| Calcium | 180 mg |
| Iron | 3 mg |
| Vitamin A | 800 IU |
| Vitamin C | 2 mg |
Note: Nutrition values are estimates based on standard ingredients and may vary with brands and portion sizes.
