Description
Looking for a weeknight winner that's fast, filling, and incredibly delicious? This Creamy Beef and Shells recipe is your new go-to comfort food favorite. With tender pasta shells, juicy ground beef, and a cheesy, creamy tomato sauce, this dish is everything you want in an easy dinner. It's perfect for when you need quick dinner ideas, crave something cozy, or want a no-fuss family meal that even picky eaters love. Great for meal prep, quick reheats, or lazy Sunday dinners—this easy recipe is a total keeper.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
2 cups medium pasta shells, uncooked
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 cups beef broth
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed.
2. Add chopped onion and sauté for about 3 minutes until soft. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Reduce heat to medium and stir in tomato paste and paprika. Cook for 1 minute to bring out the flavors.
4. Pour in beef broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine into a smooth sauce.
5. Stir in uncooked pasta shells, coating them well in the sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. When pasta is tender and sauce has thickened, stir in most of the shredded cheddar cheese until melted. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Remove from heat, top with the remaining cheese, and let sit for 2–3 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm.
Notes
For the smoothest sauce, use freshly grated cheddar cheese instead of pre-shredded.
Stir the pasta frequently while simmering to prevent sticking.
If reheating, add a splash of broth or cream to bring the sauce back to life.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1½ cups
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: creamy beef and shells, quick dinner, one pot recipe, easy dinner, cheesy pasta