Description
Creamy Beef and Shells brings hearty pasta comfort straight to your dinner table with rich, cheesy goodness. Saucy ground beef and tender pasta shells make this classic meal a weeknight winner that satisfies hungry families in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 8 ounces shell pasta
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup beef broth
Seasoning and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil 8 ounces of shell pasta in salted water for 8-9 minutes until al dente. Drain and set pasta aside in a separate bowl.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat at 375°F. Crumble 1 pound ground beef into the pan, cooking for 6-7 minutes until completely browned.
- Drain any excess grease from the skillet, leaving a thin layer for sautéing. Add 1 small chopped onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, cooking for 2-3 minutes until onions turn translucent.
- Pour 1 cup beef broth and 1 cup heavy cream into the skillet. Stir ingredients together and allow the mixture to simmer for 4-5 minutes, reducing liquid slightly.
- Incorporate the cooked pasta into the creamy beef mixture. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese over the top, stirring gently to help cheese melt evenly.
- Continue stirring until cheese completely melts and sauce thickens to a smooth consistency, approximately 2-3 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately while the dish is warm and sauce is creamy.
Notes
- Choosing medium shells ensures the perfect sauce-to-pasta ratio, helping each bite capture maximum creaminess.
- For a lighter version, swap heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk to reduce calories without losing richness.
- Grate your own cheese instead of using pre-shredded varieties for smoother melting and deeper flavor development.
- Let the beef brown completely before adding onions to develop a robust, caramelized base that adds depth to the entire dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg