Description
Creamy Beef and Shells is a viral, comfort-food favorite made with tender pasta shells, savory ground beef, and a rich, cheesy cream sauce. Ready in about 30 minutes, this hearty one-pot meal is perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz medium pasta shells
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small sweet onion, diced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup beef stock
- 1 (15 oz) can marinara sauce
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta shells in salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat and set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté onion until translucent, about 2–3 minutes.
- Add garlic and seasonings and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux.
- Gradually whisk in beef stock, then add marinara sauce.
- Bring to a simmer and cook 6–8 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Stir in cooked pasta, ground beef, and heavy cream.
- Remove from heat and stir in sour cream.
- Add shredded cheese and stir until melted and creamy.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately.
Notes
For best results, use freshly grated cheese and add dairy ingredients off heat to prevent curdling.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 481
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 924mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: creamy beef and shells, beef pasta, comfort food, viral pasta recipe