Description
A comforting and creamy Beef and Shells recipe featuring lean ground beef simmered in a flavorful sauce with heavy cream and Italian seasoning, served over tender medium pasta shells.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Sauce
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup heavy cream
Pasta
- 8 oz medium pasta shells
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the medium pasta shells until al dente. Drain and set aside to be added later.
- Brown Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the lean ground beef along with the finely chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook until the beef is fully browned and the onions are softened, then drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Simmer Beef Mixture: Pour in the low-sodium beef broth and add Italian seasoning. Stir well and let this mixture simmer for about 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Add Cream: Stir in the heavy cream and reduce the heat to low. Let the sauce simmer gently for another 5 minutes until it thickens slightly, stirring occasionally.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Gently fold in the cooked pasta shells, making sure each shell is well coated with the creamy beef sauce. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve: Serve the Beef and Shells hot, optionally garnished with extra Italian seasoning for added aroma and flavor.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat.
- Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent it from becoming mushy when mixed with the sauce.
- Low-sodium beef broth helps control saltiness; season carefully at the end.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a creamy plant-based alternative.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: beef and shells, creamy beef pasta, ground beef recipe, pasta shells, Italian seasoning pasta
