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–+ servings
Benjamin

Creamy Beef and Shells – The Ultimate Comfort Food Dinner!

This Creamy Beef and Shells recipe is a rich, cheesy, and ultra-comforting pasta dish that's perfect for busy weeknights. Featuring tender pasta shells, savory ground beef, and a creamy, flavorful sauce, this meal is quick to prepare and full of deliciousness! Whether you’re making it for the family or meal prepping for the week, this dish is guaranteed to satisfy.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta:
  • 12 oz medium pasta shells
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Beef Mixture:
  • 1 lb ground beef 80/20
  • ½ medium onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 can 14.5 oz diced tomatoes
  • 1 ½ cups beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Creamy Sauce:
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
For Garnish (Optional):
  • Fresh parsley chopped

Method
 

Cook the Pasta:
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  2. Cook pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente.
  3. Drain and set aside.
Brown the Beef:
  1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
  2. Add ground beef and cook until browned (about 5-7 minutes).
  3. Drain excess fat and remove from the skillet.
Sauté Aromatics:
  1. In the same skillet, sauté onions until soft (about 2-3 minutes).
  2. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Build the Sauce:
  1. Stir in tomato paste, cooking for 1 minute.
  2. Add diced tomatoes, beef broth, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  3. Let simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
Add the Cream & Cheese:
  1. Lower heat and pour in heavy cream.
  2. Stir in cheddar and Parmesan cheese, mixing until melted.
Combine Everything:
  1. Return cooked ground beef and pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat.
  2. Stir well until everything is evenly mixed.
Serve & Enjoy:
  1. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot!

Notes

  • Use Freshly Grated Cheese: It melts better than pre-shredded.
  • Don’t Overcook the Pasta: It should be al dente to maintain texture.
  • Make It Spicy: Add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.
  • Storage & Reheating: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of milk or broth.
  • Freezing: Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.

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