Creamy Beef and Shells
A comforting and creamy dish of pasta shells combined with flavorful ground beef and rich cheese, perfect for quick weeknight meals.
Ingredients
Pasta and Beef
- 8 ounces medium pasta shells
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 medium sweet onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Sauce
- 2 cups beef stock
- 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 6 ounces shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese About 1 1/2 cups
Cooking oil
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
Cooking Pasta
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions; drain well.
Cooking Beef
- Heat olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes, making sure to crumble the beef as it cooks; drain excess fat. Set aside.
Making Sauce
- Add onion to the skillet, and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in garlic and Italian seasoning until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Whisk in flour until lightly browned, about 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in beef stock and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until reduced and slightly thickened, about 6-8 minutes.
Combining Ingredients
- Stir in pasta, beef, and heavy cream until heated through, about 1-2 minutes; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Stir in cheese until melted, about 2 minutes. Serve immediately.
Notes
Serve Creamy Beef and Shells hot in bowls. You can garnish with extra cheese, fresh herbs, or a sprinkle of Italian seasoning for added flavor. Pair it with a simple green salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.