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Creamy Beef and Shells

ThisCreamy Beef and Shellsrecipe is a hearty, comforting one-pan dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Featuring tender pasta shells coated in a rich, cheesy sauce with flavorful ground beef, it’s a dish the whole family will love!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ouncesmedium pasta shells1 tablespoonolive oil1pound ground beef1small sweet onion, finely diced5cloves garlic, minced1 teaspoonItalian seasoning1 teaspoondried parsley½ teaspoondried oregano½ teaspoonsmoked paprika2 tablespoonsall-purpose flour1 cupbeef stock1(15-ounce) can marinara sauce¾ cupheavy cream¼ cupsour creamKosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste1 ½ cupsfreshly grated cheddar cheese
  • 1 tablespoonolive oil1pound ground beef1small sweet onion, finely diced5cloves garlic, minced1 teaspoonItalian seasoning1 teaspoondried parsley½ teaspoondried oregano½ teaspoonsmoked paprika2 tablespoonsall-purpose flour1 cupbeef stock1(15-ounce) can marinara sauce¾ cupheavy cream¼ cupsour creamKosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste1 ½ cupsfreshly grated cheddar cheese
  • 1pound ground beef1small sweet onion, finely diced5cloves garlic, minced1 teaspoonItalian seasoning1 teaspoondried parsley½ teaspoondried oregano½ teaspoonsmoked paprika2 tablespoonsall-purpose flour1 cupbeef stock1(15-ounce) can marinara sauce¾ cupheavy cream¼ cupsour creamKosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste1 ½ cupsfreshly grated cheddar cheese
  • 1small sweet onion, finely diced5cloves garlic, minced1 teaspoonItalian seasoning1 teaspoondried parsley½ teaspoondried oregano½ teaspoonsmoked paprika2 tablespoonsall-purpose flour1 cupbeef stock1(15-ounce) can marinara sauce¾ cupheavy cream¼ cupsour creamKosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste1 ½ cupsfreshly grated cheddar cheese
  • 5cloves garlic, minced1 teaspoonItalian seasoning1 teaspoondried parsley½ teaspoondried oregano½ teaspoonsmoked paprika2 tablespoonsall-purpose flour1 cupbeef stock1(15-ounce) can marinara sauce¾ cupheavy cream¼ cupsour creamKosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste1 ½ cupsfreshly grated cheddar cheese
  • 1 teaspoonItalian seasoning1 teaspoondried parsley½ teaspoondried oregano½ teaspoonsmoked paprika2 tablespoonsall-purpose flour1 cupbeef stock1(15-ounce) can marinara sauce¾ cupheavy cream¼ cupsour creamKosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste1 ½ cupsfreshly grated cheddar cheese
  • 1 teaspoondried parsley½ teaspoondried oregano½ teaspoonsmoked paprika2 tablespoonsall-purpose flour1 cupbeef stock1(15-ounce) can marinara sauce¾ cupheavy cream¼ cupsour creamKosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste1 ½ cupsfreshly grated cheddar cheese
  • ½ teaspoondried oregano½ teaspoonsmoked paprika2 tablespoonsall-purpose flour1 cupbeef stock1(15-ounce) can marinara sauce¾ cupheavy cream¼ cupsour creamKosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste1 ½ cupsfreshly grated cheddar cheese
  • ½ teaspoonsmoked paprika2 tablespoonsall-purpose flour1 cupbeef stock1(15-ounce) can marinara sauce¾ cupheavy cream¼ cupsour creamKosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste1 ½ cupsfreshly grated cheddar cheese
  • 2 tablespoonsall-purpose flour1 cupbeef stock1(15-ounce) can marinara sauce¾ cupheavy cream¼ cupsour creamKosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste1 ½ cupsfreshly grated cheddar cheese
  • 1 cupbeef stock1(15-ounce) can marinara sauce¾ cupheavy cream¼ cupsour creamKosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste1 ½ cupsfreshly grated cheddar cheese
  • 1(15-ounce) can marinara sauce¾ cupheavy cream¼ cupsour creamKosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste1 ½ cupsfreshly grated cheddar cheese
  • ¾ cupheavy cream¼ cupsour creamKosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste1 ½ cupsfreshly grated cheddar cheese
  • ¼ cupsour creamKosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste1 ½ cupsfreshly grated cheddar cheese
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste1 ½ cupsfreshly grated cheddar cheese
  • 1 ½ cupsfreshly grated cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. 1️⃣Cook the pasta:Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. 2️⃣Brown the beef:Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes, breaking it up into small pieces with a spoon. Drain any excess fat and transfer the beef to a plate.3️⃣Sauté onion and garlic:In the same skillet, add the diced onion and sauté for 2 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.4️⃣Make the roux:Sprinkle the flour over the onion and garlic mixture. Cook, whisking constantly, for 1 minute until the flour is lightly browned.5️⃣Add liquids and seasonings:Gradually whisk in the beef stock, ensuring no lumps form. Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, parsley, oregano, and smoked paprika.6️⃣Simmer the sauce:Bring the sauce to a boil, then lower the heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly.7️⃣Combine pasta and beef:Return the cooked pasta and browned beef to the skillet. Stir to coat everything evenly in the sauce.8️⃣Incorporate dairy:Mix in the heavy cream and simmer for 1-2 minutes until heated through. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Then, stir in the sour cream for added creaminess.9️⃣Add the cheese:Fold in the grated cheddar cheese and stir until melted and fully incorporated into the sauce.🔟Serve:Serve the creamy beef and shells immediately, garnished with chopped parsley if desired. Enjoy this rich, flavorful dish!
  3. 3️⃣Sauté onion and garlic:In the same skillet, add the diced onion and sauté for 2 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.4️⃣Make the roux:Sprinkle the flour over the onion and garlic mixture. Cook, whisking constantly, for 1 minute until the flour is lightly browned.5️⃣Add liquids and seasonings:Gradually whisk in the beef stock, ensuring no lumps form. Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, parsley, oregano, and smoked paprika.6️⃣Simmer the sauce:Bring the sauce to a boil, then lower the heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly.7️⃣Combine pasta and beef:Return the cooked pasta and browned beef to the skillet. Stir to coat everything evenly in the sauce.8️⃣Incorporate dairy:Mix in the heavy cream and simmer for 1-2 minutes until heated through. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Then, stir in the sour cream for added creaminess.9️⃣Add the cheese:Fold in the grated cheddar cheese and stir until melted and fully incorporated into the sauce.🔟Serve:Serve the creamy beef and shells immediately, garnished with chopped parsley if desired. Enjoy this rich, flavorful dish!
  4. 4️⃣Make the roux:Sprinkle the flour over the onion and garlic mixture. Cook, whisking constantly, for 1 minute until the flour is lightly browned.
  5. 5️⃣Add liquids and seasonings:Gradually whisk in the beef stock, ensuring no lumps form. Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, parsley, oregano, and smoked paprika.6️⃣Simmer the sauce:Bring the sauce to a boil, then lower the heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly.7️⃣Combine pasta and beef:Return the cooked pasta and browned beef to the skillet. Stir to coat everything evenly in the sauce.8️⃣Incorporate dairy:Mix in the heavy cream and simmer for 1-2 minutes until heated through. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Then, stir in the sour cream for added creaminess.9️⃣Add the cheese:Fold in the grated cheddar cheese and stir until melted and fully incorporated into the sauce.🔟Serve:Serve the creamy beef and shells immediately, garnished with chopped parsley if desired. Enjoy this rich, flavorful dish!
  6. 6️⃣Simmer the sauce:Bring the sauce to a boil, then lower the heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly.7️⃣Combine pasta and beef:Return the cooked pasta and browned beef to the skillet. Stir to coat everything evenly in the sauce.8️⃣Incorporate dairy:Mix in the heavy cream and simmer for 1-2 minutes until heated through. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Then, stir in the sour cream for added creaminess.9️⃣Add the cheese:Fold in the grated cheddar cheese and stir until melted and fully incorporated into the sauce.🔟Serve:Serve the creamy beef and shells immediately, garnished with chopped parsley if desired. Enjoy this rich, flavorful dish!
  7. 7️⃣Combine pasta and beef:Return the cooked pasta and browned beef to the skillet. Stir to coat everything evenly in the sauce.
  8. 8️⃣Incorporate dairy:Mix in the heavy cream and simmer for 1-2 minutes until heated through. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Then, stir in the sour cream for added creaminess.9️⃣Add the cheese:Fold in the grated cheddar cheese and stir until melted and fully incorporated into the sauce.🔟Serve:Serve the creamy beef and shells immediately, garnished with chopped parsley if desired. Enjoy this rich, flavorful dish!
  9. 9️⃣Add the cheese:Fold in the grated cheddar cheese and stir until melted and fully incorporated into the sauce.🔟Serve:Serve the creamy beef and shells immediately, garnished with chopped parsley if desired. Enjoy this rich, flavorful dish!
  10. 🔟Serve:Serve the creamy beef and shells immediately, garnished with chopped parsley if desired. Enjoy this rich, flavorful dish!

Notes

Cheese Options:Swap cheddar for mozzarella or Monterey Jack for a different twist.Storage:Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of cream or stock to loosen the sauce.Customization:Add vegetables like peas, spinach, or bell peppers for extra nutrition.
Storage:Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of cream or stock to loosen the sauce.Customization:Add vegetables like peas, spinach, or bell peppers for extra nutrition.
Customization:Add vegetables like peas, spinach, or bell peppers for extra nutrition.

  • Author: Chef Stella