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Creamy Beef and Shells

Creamy Beef and Shells

  • Author: easysweetmeal
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Description

Creamy Beef and Shells is the ultimate cozy comfort food—hearty pasta shells wrapped in a rich, savory sauce loaded with seasoned ground beef, herbs, marinara, and melty cheddar cheese. Finished with a splash of heavy cream and sour cream for velvety goodness, this one-skillet wonder is weeknight dinner perfection that the whole family will love.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 8 oz medium pasta shells

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 lb ground beef

  • 1 small sweet onion, finely diced

  • 5 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning

  • 1 tsp dried parsley

  • ½ tsp dried oregano

  • ½ tsp smoked paprika

  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

  • 1 cup beef broth

  • 1 (15 oz) can marinara sauce

  • ¾ cup heavy cream

  • ¼ cup sour cream

  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste

  • 1½ cups freshly grated cheddar cheese

Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta shells according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. Brown the Beef

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 3 to 5 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess fat and set the beef aside.

3. Sauté the Onion and Garlic

In the same skillet, add diced onions and sauté for 2 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.

4. Make the Roux

Sprinkle in the flour and stir for 1 minute until lightly golden. This helps thicken the sauce.

5. Add Liquids and Seasonings

Gradually whisk in beef broth, followed by the marinara sauce. Stir in Italian seasoning, parsley, oregano, and smoked paprika.

6. Simmer the Sauce

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.

7. Combine Pasta and Beef

Add the cooked pasta and browned beef back into the skillet. Stir until everything is evenly coated.

8. Stir in Cream and Sour Cream

Mix in the heavy cream and heat through for 1 to 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Then stir in the sour cream until smooth.

9. Add the Cheese

Fold in the grated cheddar cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese has fully melted and the sauce is velvety.

Notes

  • Garnish with chopped parsley or basil for a fresh pop of color.

  • Great for meal prepping—make a double batch and freeze half.

  • Add Parmesan or mozzarella for an even cheesier twist.

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

Find it online: https://easysweetmeal.com/creamy-beef-and-shells/