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Homemade Creamy Beef and Shells Recipe

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

Creamy Beef and Shells is the ultimate comfort food made with tender pasta shells, savory ground beef, and a rich, creamy tomato-based sauce finished with melted cheddar cheese. This easy weeknight dinner is hearty, family-friendly, and ready in just 35 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces medium pasta shells
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 small sweet onion, diced
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup beef stock
  • 1 (15 oz) can marinara sauce
  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1½ cups freshly grated cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta in salted water until al dente, drain, and reserve 1 cup pasta water.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet and brown ground beef, then remove and set aside.
  3. Sauté onion in the same skillet until softened, then add garlic and cook until fragrant.
  4. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux.
  5. Gradually whisk in beef stock until smooth.
  6. Add marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, parsley, oregano, and smoked paprika.
  7. Simmer sauce for 6–8 minutes until slightly thickened.
  8. Return beef and cooked pasta to the skillet and stir to combine.
  9. Stir in heavy cream and heat through.
  10. Add sour cream and season with salt and pepper.
  11. Fold in cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
  12. Add reserved pasta water as needed for consistency and serve immediately.

Notes

Cook pasta just to al dente and use freshly grated cheese for the smoothest, creamiest sauce.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1½ cups
  • Calories: 620
  • Sugar: 8g
  • Sodium: 820mg
  • Fat: 28g
  • Saturated Fat: 13g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 13g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 52g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 38g
  • Cholesterol: 105mg

Keywords: creamy beef and shells, beef pasta, creamy pasta dinner, easy comfort food

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