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Creamy Beef and Shells

Creamy Beef and Shells: A Cozy Family Dinner in Minutes

Quick, satisfying, and kid-friendly, Creamy Beef and Shells is a comfort dish made with pasta and beef in just 30 minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 600

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 oz Medium Pasta Shells or cavatappi or rigatoni
For the Meat and Sauté
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil can replace with vegetable oil
  • 1 lb Ground Beef or ground turkey or chicken
  • 1 small Sweet Onion or shallots or leeks
For the Flavor Base
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced or garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp Italian Seasoning or individual dried herbs
  • 1 tsp Dried Oregano or marjoram or thyme
For the Sauce
  • 2 tbsp All-Purpose Flour or cornstarch for gluten-free
  • 1 cup Beef Stock or chicken or vegetable stock
  • 1 cup Marinara Sauce or homemade tomato or creamy vodka sauce
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream or half-and-half or milk
  • ½ cup Sour Cream or Greek yogurt or cream cheese
For the Finishing Touch
  • Kosher Salt to taste
  • Black Pepper to taste
  • 1 cup Cheddar Cheese or pepper jack or mozzarella

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Skillet

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions for Creamy Beef and Shells
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the medium pasta shells and cook until just under al dente, about 8 minutes.
  2. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound of ground beef and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of olive oil if necessary, and toss in a small diced onion. Sauté for about 2 minutes until slightly softened, then add 2 minced garlic cloves.
  4. Sprinkle in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, whisking continuously until it lightly browns. Gradually add 1 cup of beef stock and 1 cup of marinara sauce.
  5. Once the sauce has thickened, stir in the cooked pasta and the browned beef, then mix in 1 cup of heavy cream.
  6. Remove from heat and stir in ½ cup of sour cream, followed by 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 30gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat on low heat on the stove, adding a splash of broth or water if needed to restore creaminess.

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