Dreamy Creamy Beef and Shells Recipe: Home-Style Comfort

Comfort food takes center stage with this incredible creamy beef and shells recipe that promises pure satisfaction.

Hearty ground beef mingles seamlessly with tender pasta shells, creating a delightful harmony of flavors.

Richly seasoned and packed with cheesy goodness, this dish delivers a mouthwatering experience in every single bite.

The combination of traditional ingredients and clever cooking techniques ensures a meal that feels both familiar and exciting.

Weeknight dinners will never be the same once you discover this crowd-pleasing recipe.

Serve it hot and watch as everyone around the table asks for seconds.

Dive into this delectable creation that transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 635 kcal

Servings: 3

All You Need For Creamy Beef And Shells

• Pasta Shells: Provide a sturdy vessel for capturing the rich, creamy sauce with their curved shape, selecting medium-sized shells ensures perfect sauce absorption..

• Ground Beef: Delivers hearty protein and deep meaty flavor, choose 85/15 lean-to-fat ratio for optimal richness and juiciness..
• Olive Oil: Helps brown beef and prevent sticking, select extra virgin for enhanced subtle fruitiness..
• Onion: Adds sweet depth and aromatic foundation, fresh white or yellow onions work best for balanced flavor..
• Garlic: Introduces intense, pungent notes that complement beef's richness, fresh minced garlic provides maximum taste punch..

• Tomato Sauce: Creates tangy base and adds moisture, look for smooth, rich varieties without added herbs..
• Beef Broth: Enhances meaty undertones and provides liquid complexity, low-sodium versions allow better seasoning control..
• Italian Seasoning: Blends herbs that add Mediterranean warmth, dried mixes ensure consistent herbal profile..
• Paprika: Introduces subtle smokiness and rich color, sweet or smoked varieties work wonderfully..
• Salt and Pepper: Essential for balancing and elevating overall flavor profile, freshly ground black pepper recommended..
• Heavy Cream: Delivers luxurious silkiness and binds sauce, choose full-fat for maximum creaminess..
• Cheddar Cheese: Provides sharp, tangy melting quality, sharp varieties offer more intense flavor..
• Parmesan Cheese: Contributes nutty, salty dimension and helps thicken sauce, freshly grated offers superior taste.

Tools To Cook Creamy Beef And Shells Smoothly

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling pasta perfectly and creating enough space for shells to cook evenly.
• Large Skillet: Key tool for browning beef, sautéing onions, and creating the delicious sauce.
• Wooden Spoon: Perfect for breaking up ground beef and stirring ingredients smoothly.
• Colander: Crucial for draining pasta shells after cooking.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Helps ensure accurate ingredient proportions for the best flavor.
• Cheese Grater: Useful for freshly grating Parmesan cheese if using a block.
• Chef's Knife: Needed for dicing onions and mincing garlic with precision.

Steps To Make Creamy Beef And Shells Quickly

• Pasta Preparation

Grab a big pot and fill it with water. Sprinkle some salt into the water and let it bubble up. Drop in your pasta shells and cook them until they’re soft but still have a slight bite. Once done, drain and set them aside.

• Beef Browning

Grab a skillet and warm it up with a splash of olive oil. Toss in the ground beef and break it into tiny pieces while it sizzles. Let it turn a gorgeous golden brown, making sure all the meat gets cooked through.

• Flavor Building

Toss chopped onions into the beef and let them dance around until they become soft and translucent. Sprinkle in some minced garlic and let it release its amazing aroma. Pour in tomato sauce, beef broth, and a mix of seasonings. Let everything simmer and get to know each other.

• Cheese Magic

Turn the heat down low and pour in some creamy goodness. Slowly add cheddar and Parmesan, stirring until they melt into a silky smooth sauce that’ll make your taste buds sing.

• Final Assembly

Reunite the pasta shells with the meaty, cheesy sauce. Let them get cozy together for a few minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve up this comforting dish hot, maybe with a sprinkle of extra cheese on top for that extra wow factor.

Tips To Tweak Creamy Beef And Shells Flavor

• Perfect Pasta Texture Trick: Slightly undercook the shells before adding to the sauce, as they'll continue absorbing liquid and become perfectly tender during the final simmer.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the beef and sauce base in advance, then refrigerate for up to 2 days. Reheat gently and add fresh pasta just before serving to maintain optimal texture and freshness.
• Dietary Swap Solutions: For a lighter version, replace heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half. Gluten-free eaters can substitute regular pasta shells with chickpea or gluten-free pasta alternatives without compromising the dish's rich flavor profile.
• Spice and Herb Boost: Experiment with additional seasonings like smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, or fresh herbs like basil and oregano to elevate the flavor complexity. Roasted garlic or a splash of Worcestershire sauce can add unexpected depth to the sauce.
• Vegetarian Transformation: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles, lentils, or finely chopped mushrooms to create a hearty vegetarian version that maintains the creamy, comforting essence of the original recipe.

Serve Creamy Beef And Shells Warm And Cozy

• Cozy Family Dinner Night: Gather everyone around the table and serve this hearty dish as a comforting main course that brings smiles and warmth to the evening.
• Potluck Party Sensation: Bring this creamy beef and shells to your next gathering, where it will surely become the star of the buffet table and have friends asking for the recipe.
• Game Day Crowd-Pleaser: Serve in individual bowls or a large serving dish during sports events, offering a satisfying meal that keeps hungry fans happy between plays.
• Quick Weeknight Meal Upgrade: Transform this dish into a complete dinner by pairing with a simple green salad and crusty garlic bread for a delicious and easy family meal that comes together in under 30 minutes.

Keep Creamy Beef And Shells Fresh For Meals

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftovers in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly to maintain freshness and prevent flavor absorption from other foods. Refrigerated beef and shells stay delicious for 3-4 days.
• Freezing Magic: Transfer cooled dish to freezer-safe containers, leaving slight space for expansion. Freeze up to 2 months. Label containers with date and contents for easy tracking. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating Perfection: Warm refrigerated portions in microwave with splash of beef broth to restore moisture. Stir frequently to distribute heat evenly. Alternatively, reheat in skillet over medium-low heat, adding small amount of cream to prevent drying.
• Single-Serving Prep: Portion remaining meal into individual containers for quick grab-and-go lunches. Pack with small side salad or vegetable for balanced meal. Microwave-friendly containers make workplace lunch easy and delicious.

Hearty Beef And Shells Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Homemade creamy beef and shells pasta delivers comfort food magic with rich, cheesy goodness. Hearty protein and tender pasta shells combine for a satisfying meal perfect for family dinner nights.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• 1 cup (120 g) shredded cheddar cheese
• 8 oz (225 g) medium pasta shells
• 1 cup (240 ml) beef broth
• 1 can (15 oz/425 g) tomato sauce
• ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp paprika
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Bring a large pot of salted water to a vigorous boil. Cook pasta shells until al dente, then drain and set aside, preserving their perfect texture.
2. Meat Transformation: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown ground beef thoroughly, breaking it into fine crumbles and eliminating excess grease, creating a rich, caramelized foundation.
3. Aromatic Infusion: Add onions and garlic to the beef, sautéing until they release their fragrant essence and become translucent, intensifying the dish’s depth of flavor.
4. Flavor Building: Introduce tomato sauce, beef broth, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer the mixture, allowing the ingredients to meld and develop a robust, harmonious sauce.
5. Creamy Integration: Reduce heat and incorporate heavy cream, then gradually whisk in cheddar and Parmesan cheeses until a smooth, luxurious sauce forms, creating a velvety texture.
6. Final Fusion: Gently fold cooked pasta shells into the creamy beef mixture, ensuring each shell is completely enrobed. Warm through to marry all flavors and create a cohesive, indulgent dish.
7. Finishing Touch: Adjust seasoning to taste, garnish with a sprinkle of additional Parmesan or fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately while piping hot.

Notes

• Select Pasta Texture: Cook shells just shy of package instructions for al dente perfection, ensuring they’ll absorb sauce without becoming mushy.
• Control Meat Browning: Use high heat and avoid overcrowding the skillet to achieve deep caramelization, developing rich flavor complexity without steaming the beef.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Remove skillet from direct heat when adding cream and cheese, preventing potential sauce separation and maintaining smooth, creamy consistency.
• Fat Management: Drain excess beef fat thoroughly to prevent greasy texture and maintain clean, balanced flavor profile in the final dish.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 635
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 720 mg
• Fat: 42 g
• Saturated Fat: 22 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 140 mg