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Homemade Creamy Beef and Shells Recipe

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.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 620
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 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

Method
 

  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.