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Avatar photoEmily Garcia

Creamy Beef and Shells

This classic comfort dish features tender pasta shells coated in a rich, velvety sauce made with lean ground beef and heavy cream. It's quick enough for a weeknight but satisfying enough for a family meal—ready in just 30 minutes!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish, Pasta
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb Lean ground beef (Protein)
  • 8 oz Medium pasta shells (Pasta)
  • 1 medium Medium yellow onion, finely chopped (Aromatics)
  • 3 cloves Garlic, minced (Aromatics)
  • 2 cups Low-sodium beef broth (Sauce Base)
  • 1 cup Heavy cream (Sauce Base)
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning (Sauce Base)
  • Salt and pepper (To taste) (Sauce Base)

Equipment

  • large pot for pasta
  • large skillet for sauce

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta shells and cook according to package instructions until they are al dente (tender but firm). Drain the pasta and set it aside.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef, chopped onion, and minced garlic. Cook until the beef is fully browned and no longer pink, using a spatula to break it apart. Drain off any excess fat.
  3. Pour in the beef broth and stir in the Italian seasoning. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and deepen beautifully.
  4. Stir in the heavy cream. Allow this mixture to simmer gently on low heat for another 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes velvety.
  5. Gently fold the cooked pasta shells into the creamy beef mixture until every shell is well-coated in the sauce.
  6. Taste the dish and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot, garnished with an extra sprinkle of Italian seasoning or fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Always taste the sauce before adding the pasta to adjust seasoning. If storing leftovers, add a splash of milk or broth when reheating to restore creaminess. To customize, stir in fresh spinach or kale during Step 4 for extra color and nutrition.