Description
A comforting and creamy beef and pasta shells dish featuring tender ground beef simmered in a rich, savory cream sauce with Italian herbs. This meal is perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner that comes together quickly and satisfies the whole family.
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 the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta shells and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Brown the beef and aromatics: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the lean ground beef, finely chopped onion, and minced garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fully browned and the onions are translucent. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Simmer in broth and herbs: Pour in the low-sodium beef broth and sprinkle in the Italian seasoning. Stir to combine and let the mixture simmer gently for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Add the cream and thicken the sauce: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Let the sauce simmer for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly and becomes creamy.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Gently fold the cooked pasta shells into the creamy beef sauce, ensuring all the pasta is well-coated. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve: Serve the creamy beef and shells hot, garnished with extra Italian seasoning if desired for a boost of herbaceous flavor.
Notes
- Use low-sodium beef broth to better control the salt level in the dish.
- Drain excess fat after browning the beef to prevent a greasy sauce.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but the sauce won’t be as thick.
- You can add some grated Parmesan cheese on top before serving for extra richness.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Creamy beef pasta, beef shells, Italian beef pasta, comfort food, creamy pasta sauce
