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Creamy Beef and Shells

Creamy Beef and Shells is a comforting one-pot dinner made with tender shell pasta, seasoned ground beef, and a rich, creamy sauce. This easy beef dinner is perfect for busy weeknights, family meals, and anyone looking for one of the best dinner recipes with minimal cleanup.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz 340 g shell pasta
  • 1 lb 450 g ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 teaspoon paprika or Italian seasoning
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional Add-Ins
  • 1 small potato peeled and diced
  • Fresh parsley
  • A squeeze of lime juice for brightness

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
  2. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Stir in onion and garlic and cook until softened and fragrant.
  4. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
  5. Add shell pasta and beef broth. Stir well.
  6. Bring to a simmer and cook for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
  7. Reduce heat and stir in tomato sauce and heavy cream.
  8. Add shredded cheese and stir until melted and creamy.
  9. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  10. Remove from heat and rest for 2–3 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use lean beef for a lighter health dinner
Whole-wheat pasta works well for health dinner recipes
Add diced potatoes for extra heartiness
Great base recipe for other shell pasta recipes