Description
Creamy Beef and Shells is a comforting and hearty pasta dish featuring tender ground beef simmered in a rich, creamy sauce made with heavy cream and beef broth, seasoned with Italian herbs. Served with perfectly cooked pasta shells, this easy recipe is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pasta & Sauce
- 8 oz medium pasta shells
- 1 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the medium pasta shells and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes depending on package instructions. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Brown Beef and Aromatics: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the lean ground beef, finely chopped onion, and minced garlic. Cook until the beef is fully browned and the onions are translucent, about 7-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Simmer with Broth and Seasoning: Add the low-sodium beef broth and Italian seasoning to the skillet. Stir well and allow the mixture to simmer for 5 minutes to combine flavors and reduce slightly.
- Add Cream and Thicken Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and reduce the heat to low. Let the sauce simmer gently for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Gently fold the cooked pasta shells into the creamy beef sauce until the pasta is well coated. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the creamy beef and shells hot, optionally garnished with a sprinkle of extra Italian seasoning or fresh herbs for added flavor.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
- You can add some grated Parmesan cheese at the end for extra umami flavor.
- Fresh herbs like parsley or basil make a great garnish.
- Ensure not to overcook the pasta; al dente works best to hold up in the creamy sauce.
- Use low-sodium broth to better control the saltiness of the dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: creamy beef pasta, beef and shells, easy pasta recipe, comfort food, Italian seasoning, ground beef dinner
