Description
Easy Creamy Beef and Shells is a comforting and budget-friendly pasta dish featuring tender shells tossed in a savory beef and tomato sauce enriched with a touch of cream. Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that satisfies the whole family.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces medium uncooked shells
Beef Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 (14 ounce) can tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- 1/3 cup beef broth
- 1/4 cup heavy/whipping cream
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the medium shells pasta until al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Onion: While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, allowing the onion to become translucent and lightly browned.
- Brown Beef: Add the lean ground beef to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon until fully browned. Spoon out excess fat if there is a lot.
- Add Seasonings and Liquids: Stir in minced garlic and chili powder. Then pour in the tomato sauce and beef broth. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer and cook for 4 to 5 minutes to allow the sauce to reduce slightly without drying out.
- Finish with Cream and Combine: Stir the heavy cream into the beef sauce and season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the cream warm through, then add the drained pasta shells to the skillet. Toss everything together to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy beef sauce. Serve immediately.
Notes
- This recipe takes about 30 minutes from start to finish, making it a quick and easy weeknight meal.
- Spoon out excess beef fat after browning to reduce greasiness if desired.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a dairy-free alternative.
- Add a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese or fresh parsley for extra flavor and garnish.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the chili powder or add red pepper flakes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 481 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 687 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 91 mg
