Description
Creamy Beef and Shells is a comforting and hearty dish featuring tender ground beef cooked with aromatic onions and garlic, simmered in a rich, creamy sauce made with heavy cream and Italian seasoning, then tossed with perfectly cooked medium pasta shells. This easy one-pan meal is perfect for a family dinner or a cozy night in.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 cup heavy cream
Pasta
- 8 oz medium pasta shells
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Seasonings
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta shells: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the pasta shells. Cook them until al dente, following package instructions, usually around 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside, reserving a small cup of pasta water in case you need to thin the sauce later.
- Brown the beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the lean ground beef along with the finely chopped yellow onion and minced garlic. Cook until the beef is fully browned and the onion is softened, approximately 7-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet for a leaner dish.
- Simmer with broth and seasoning: Pour in the low-sodium beef broth and add the Italian seasoning. Stir well, bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, and let it cook uncovered for about 5 minutes. This helps meld the flavors and slightly reduces the broth.
- Add the heavy cream: Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream. Continue to simmer on low heat for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Gently fold the cooked pasta shells into the creamy beef sauce, ensuring that all the shells are well coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency. Taste and adjust salt and pepper seasoning as needed.
- Serve: Serve the creamy beef and shells hot, optionally garnished with a sprinkle of extra Italian seasoning or fresh herbs for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
- You can add vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers to increase nutritional content and flavor.
- Use low-sodium beef broth to control the salt level and suit dietary needs.
- Reserve some pasta water when draining the shells – it can help adjust sauce consistency without watering down flavor.
- This dish can be topped with grated Parmesan cheese or fresh basil for extra taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 440 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 360 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: creamy beef shells, pasta with beef sauce, Italian beef pasta, creamy pasta recipes, easy dinner meals