Description

Creamy Beef and Shells is a comforting, hearty dish featuring tender ground beef simmered in a savory cream sauce with Italian seasoning, combined with perfectly cooked pasta shells. This easy-to-make skillet meal balances rich flavors with simple ingredients, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein and Vegetables

1 lb lean ground beef
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced

Pasta

8 oz medium pasta shells

Liquids and Seasonings

1 cup heavy cream
2 cups low-sodium beef broth
2 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the medium pasta shells and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside to keep warm.
Brown the Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef along with the finely chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and fully cooked and the onions are softened, approximately 8 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
Simmer with Broth and Seasoning: Pour in 2 cups of low-sodium beef broth and sprinkle 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning over the beef mixture. Stir to combine, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 5 minutes to develop flavor.
Add Heavy Cream and Thicken Sauce: Slowly stir in 1 cup of heavy cream. Continue to simmer on low heat for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and become creamy while stirring occasionally.
Combine Pasta and Sauce: Gently fold the cooked pasta shells into the creamy beef mixture, ensuring each pasta shell is well coated with the sauce. Taste and adjust salt and pepper seasoning as desired.
Serve: Spoon the creamy beef and shells onto plates or into bowls while hot. Garnish with a sprinkle of extra Italian seasoning if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes

For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
Use freshly minced garlic and finely chopped onions for the best flavor.
To add extra veggies, consider stirring in chopped spinach or mushrooms when adding the beef broth.
If you prefer a thicker sauce, let it simmer a few minutes longer before adding pasta.
Serve with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: creamy beef pasta, ground beef recipe, pasta shells recipe, Italian seasoning, easy dinner, one-pan meal