Go Back

Creamy Beef and Shells – Easy Recipes for Comforting Dinner

Easy recipes like Creamy Beef and Shells are perfect for busy nights! Enjoy a rich, cheesy, and satisfying pasta dish with ground beef and tender shells, all cooked in a creamy sauce. It’s a family favorite and comes together in less than 30 minutes.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Dinners
Cuisine: American
Keywords: dinner recipes, easy recipes, food receipt easy recipes, pasta easy recipes, quick and easy recipes, recipes for dinner, sweet easy recipes
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Patricia

Ingredients

  • 8 oz medium pasta shells
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta shells according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef and onion until beef is browned and onion is soft, about 5-6 minutes. Drain excess fat.
  3. Add garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Sprinkle in the flour and stir to coat the beef.
  5. Pour in beef broth and tomato sauce. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring often.
  6. Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream and cheddar cheese. Mix until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.
  7. Add the cooked pasta shells to the skillet and stir until well coated with the sauce.
  8. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream. You can also substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef. Add extra vegetables like peas or spinach for more nutrition.