The Tastiest Creamy Beef and Shells Recipe You’ll Ever Make

Whipping up a hearty beef and shells recipe can turn an ordinary weeknight into a culinary adventure.

Comfort food reaches new heights with this delectable pasta dish packed with rich, savory flavors.

Tender ground beef mingles seamlessly with perfectly cooked pasta shells, creating a symphony of textures.

Melted cheese blankets every bite, promising a creamy experience that’ll make you swoon.

Robust seasonings dance through the mixture, ensuring each forkful bursts with mouthwatering goodness.

Simple ingredients come together effortlessly, making this meal a go-to solution for hungry families.

We bet you’ll want seconds before finishing your first serving, so grab an extra spoon and dig in!

Creamy Beef And Shells Comfort In A Bowl

• Craft a Comforting Meal: Create a soul-warming dish that wraps you in delicious comfort with minimal kitchen effort.
• Customize with Ease: Adapt the recipe by swapping ground beef for turkey or adding extra veggies to suit your taste preferences.
• One-Skillet Wonder: Minimize cleanup with a single-pan cooking method that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal.
• Family Dinner Champion: Deliver a crowd-pleasing recipe that satisfies both kids and adults with its creamy, cheesy goodness and hearty beef flavor.

Ingredients To Prepare Creamy Beef And Shells

• Pasta Shells: A perfect pasta shape that holds the creamy sauce wonderfully.

• Ground Beef: The hearty protein that adds rich flavor and substance to the dish.

• Onion, Garlic: These classic flavor boosters provide a deep, savory foundation for the sauce.

• Beef Stock, Marinara Sauce, Heavy Cream, Sour Cream: These ingredients create a luxurious and silky sauce with layers of flavor.

• Flour: Helps to create a smooth, thick sauce with perfect consistency.

• Italian Seasoning, Dried Parsley, Oregano, Smoked Paprika, Salt, Pepper: These spices and herbs enhance the overall taste profile of the dish.

• Cheddar Cheese: Adds a rich, melty texture and sharp flavor to the final dish.

• Olive Oil: Provides a base for sautéing and adds a subtle flavor to the recipe.

• Fresh Parsley: Offers a bright, fresh finish and a pop of color.

Instructions To Make Creamy Beef And Shells

Step 1: Boil the Pasta

Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil.

Carefully drop in the pasta shells and cook until they reach that perfect al dente texture. Once done, drain the pasta and set it aside, ready for its creamy destiny.

Step 2: Sear the Beef

Grab a large skillet and drizzle in some olive oil. Heat it up over medium-high flame.

Crumble the ground beef into the hot pan, breaking it apart as it sizzles. Cook until the meat turns a beautiful golden brown, about 3-5 minutes.

Drain away any extra fat and set the beef aside.

Step 3: Awaken the Aromatics

In the same skillet, dance the diced onions around for a couple of minutes.

Toss in the minced garlic and let it become wonderfully fragrant, releasing its magical aroma.

Step 4: Create the Flavor Base

Sprinkle flour into the skillet, whisking continuously.

Let it cook for a minute, transforming into a light golden roux that will give our sauce its luxurious body.

Step 5: Build the Sauce

• Beef stock
• Marinara sauce

• Italian seasoning
• Dried parsley
• Oregano
• Smoked paprika

Step 6: Simmer and Thicken

Bring the sauce to a bubbling boil, then reduce the heat.

Let it simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until it starts to thicken and develop deep, rich flavors.

Step 7: Reunite Pasta and Beef

Return the cooked beef to the skillet.

Add the drained pasta shells. Gently toss everything together, ensuring each shell gets a loving coat of sauce.

Step 8: Add Creamy Goodness

• Heavy cream
• Sour cream

Stir and heat through. Taste and season with salt and pepper to make the flavors pop.

Step 9: Cheese It Up

Sprinkle in the grated cheddar cheese. Stir until it melts completely, creating a sauce so creamy it’ll make your taste buds dance.

Step 10: Serve and Devour

Scoop the steaming, cheesy beef and shells into bowls. If you’re feeling fancy, scatter some fresh parsley on top for a burst of color and freshness.

Dig in while it’s hot and incredibly delicious!

Tips To Elevate Creamy Beef And Shells

• Cook shells exactly to al dente stage to maintain perfect texture and prevent mushiness when mixed with sauce.
• Choose ground beef with 85-90% lean content to reduce excess fat while keeping the dish flavorful and not too greasy.
• Whisk continuously while adding liquids to prevent lumps and create a smooth, creamy sauce that coats pasta evenly.
• Add cheddar cheese off direct heat and stir gently to ensure smooth melting without becoming grainy or separating.
• Taste and adjust salt and pepper gradually, remembering that cheese and beef stock already contribute significant saltiness to the dish.

Variations To Switch Up Creamy Beef And Shells

• Spicy Southwest Shells: Replace marinara with salsa, add diced green chilies, swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese, and sprinkle with chili powder for a zesty southwestern flavor profile.
• Lean Protein Option: Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter protein alternative, maintaining similar cooking techniques and seasonings.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free pasta shells, replace wheat flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend, and ensure all seasonings are certified gluten-free.
• Vegetarian Transformation: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils, use vegetable stock instead of beef stock, and maintain the creamy sauce and cheese components for a satisfying meatless version.

Pairings That Complement Creamy Beef And Shells

• Choose a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Zinfandel to balance the rich, creamy beef sauce. These wines cut through the dish's richness while enhancing its robust meat flavors.
• Create a crisp green salad with light vinaigrette to contrast the heavy, creamy pasta. Arugula or mixed greens with lemon-olive oil dressing will refresh the palate between bites.
• Select a rustic sourdough or garlic bread to soak up the delicious sauce. Toasted bread provides a crunchy texture that complements the soft pasta and tender beef.

Storage Tips To Keep Creamy Beef And Shells Fresh

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Transfer cooled pasta to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air and freeze for up to 2 months. Label with date and contents.
• Place portion in microwave-safe dish. Add 1-2 tablespoons of milk or beef stock to prevent drying. Cover with microwave-safe lid or paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until heated thoroughly.

FAQs

• What makes the roux important in this recipe?

The roux helps thicken the sauce and creates a rich, smooth texture by cooking flour with fat, which prevents lumpy sauce and develops deeper flavor.

• Why use multiple types of seasonings?

Multiple seasonings like Italian seasoning, oregano, and smoked paprika create complex, layered flavor profiles that enhance the beef and make the dish more interesting and delicious.

• Can I use different types of ground meat?

Yes, you can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground pork while maintaining similar cooking techniques and overall recipe structure.

• How can I make this dish spicier?

To add heat, incorporate red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or add a dash of hot sauce during the seasoning stage to customize the spice level to your preference.

Creamy Beef And Shells Recipe

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4.7 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Comfort meets culinary magic in this creamy beef and shells masterpiece, where tender pasta cradles rich, seasoned ground beef in a velvety sauce. Pasta night gets an upgrade with this crowd-pleasing dish you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound ground beef

Pasta:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) medium pasta shells
• Water for boiling
• Salt for pasta water

Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small sweet onion, finely diced
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup beef stock
• 1 (15-ounce) can marinara sauce
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 1/2 cups freshly grated cheddar cheese

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Instructions

1. Prepare a large pot of salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Submerge pasta shells and cook until perfectly tender, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain thoroughly and reserve.
2. Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature. Introduce ground beef, crumbling and browning for 4 minutes until no pink remains. Eliminate excess fat and transfer meat to a separate plate.
3. In the identical skillet, sauté diced onions for 2 minutes until translucent. Incorporate minced garlic and cook briefly until aromatic.
4. Sprinkle flour into the skillet, whisking continuously for 1 minute to create a light roux. This technique ensures sauce thickness and prevents lumpy texture.
5. Slowly integrate beef stock and marinara sauce, stirring consistently. Blend Italian seasoning, dried parsley, oregano, and smoked paprika for robust flavor complexity.
6. Elevate mixture to a boil, then reduce heat. Simmer for 6-7 minutes, stirring periodically until sauce reaches desired consistency.
7. Reunite cooked pasta and browned beef into the skillet. Gently toss to ensure complete sauce coverage.
8. Pour heavy cream and cook for 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Fold in sour cream for additional richness.
9. Introduce grated cheddar cheese, stirring until completely melted and sauce becomes luxuriously creamy.
10. Transfer to serving dishes immediately. Optional: Garnish with fresh parsley for vibrant presentation and added flavor dimension.

Notes

• Pasta Selection Matters: Choose medium or large shells that can hold the creamy sauce effectively, ensuring each bite is packed with flavor.
• Fat Management: Drain excess beef fat thoroughly to prevent a greasy dish and maintain a clean, rich taste profile.
• Cream Consistency Control: Add heavy cream and sour cream gradually to prevent sauce from breaking or becoming too thin.
• Dietary Flexibility: Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for a lighter or vegetarian version of the dish.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 579 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 670 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 33 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg