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Creamy Beef and Shells Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 128 reviews

Creamy Beef and Shells is a comforting one-pan meal featuring tender pasta shells tossed in a rich, creamy sauce loaded with savory ground beef, garlic, and Italian herbs. Melted cheddar cheese completes this hearty dish perfect for a family dinner or cozy night in.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 8 ounces medium pasta shells

Meat & Veggies

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 small sweet onion, diced
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced

Spices & Herbs

  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

Sauces & Liquids

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup beef stock
  • 1 (15 oz) can marinara sauce
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Cheese

  • 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, freshly grated

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta shells according to the package instructions in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
  2. Brown Ground Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Drain any excess fat and set the beef aside.
  3. Cook Onion and Garlic: In the same skillet, add the diced sweet onion and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  4. Whisk in Flour: Sprinkle the flour over the onion and garlic mixture and whisk continuously for about 1 minute until the flour is lightly browned.
  5. Add Beef Stock and Marinara: Gradually pour in the beef stock while whisking to avoid lumps. Stir in the marinara sauce along with the Italian seasoning, dried parsley, oregano, and smoked paprika.
  6. Simmer Sauce: Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce heat to low and let it simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 6-8 minutes.
  7. Combine Pasta and Beef: Stir in the cooked pasta shells and add back the browned ground beef to the skillet, mixing everything evenly.
  8. Add Heavy Cream: Pour in the heavy cream and stir until the mixture is heated through, about 1-2 minutes. Taste and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.
  9. Stir in Sour Cream: Add the sour cream to the skillet and mix thoroughly to achieve a creamy consistency.
  10. Fold in Cheddar Cheese: Finally, fold in the freshly grated cheddar cheese, stirring until it melts completely, about 1-2 minutes.
  11. Serve: Serve the creamy beef and shells immediately, optionally garnished with extra parsley for freshness.

Notes

  • Be sure to drain excess fat from the ground beef to avoid a greasy sauce.
  • Use freshly grated cheddar cheese for the best melting and flavor.
  • For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream and use reduced-fat sour cream.
  • Pasta shells are preferred as they hold the sauce well, but other medium-sized pasta shapes work too.
  • This dish can be prepared in advance; reheat gently on stovetop with a splash of beef stock or cream to loosen the sauce.

Keywords: creamy beef pasta, beef and shells, comforting dinner, skillet pasta, cheesy beef pasta, quick beef dinner

Find it online: https://stirringwithstella.com/creamy-beef-and-shells-recipe/