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Creamy One-Pot Beef & Shells

Creamy One-Pot Beef & Shells
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This Creamy One-Pot Beef & Shells recipe is a quick, comforting, and flavorful meal featuring tender ground beef and pasta shells cooked in a luscious creamy sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes with minimal cleanup, it’s perfect for busy weeknights and family-friendly dining, offering a rich, cheesy, and satisfying dish that’s easy to customize.

Ingredients

Scale

Proteins

  • 1 lb lean ground beef

Pasta

  • 8 oz medium pasta shells

Aromatics

  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids & Sauces

  • 2 ½ cups beef broth
  • ¾ cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste

Cheese & Seasonings

  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Brown the Beef: Heat a large pot or deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until fully browned and no pink remains. Drain excess fat if desired for a leaner dish.
  2. Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add diced onion and minced garlic to the beef. Stir frequently and cook for about 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant, forming a flavorful base for the sauce.
  3. Add Pasta and Liquids: Stir in the pasta shells, beef broth, tomato paste, and Italian seasoning. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cover. Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until pasta is tender.
  4. Finish with Cream and Cheese: Once the pasta is cooked and most liquid absorbed, stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Simmer gently for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce is thick, creamy, and well combined.
  5. Season to Taste and Serve: Add salt and pepper as desired, give the dish one final gentle stir, and serve hot straight from the pot.

Notes

  • Use fresh garlic and onion to significantly boost flavor compared to dried alternatives.
  • Stir often and monitor pasta closely to avoid overcooking and ensure al dente texture.
  • Simmer on low heat to thicken sauce gradually without curdling the cream.
  • For a less stringy sauce, add Parmesan cheese off the heat at the end.
  • Adjust broth quantity as needed depending on the pasta brand and size to maintain perfect creaminess.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot, beef shells, creamy pasta, quick dinner, comfort food, family-friendly, easy recipe, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://emillycooks.com/creamy-one-pot-beef-shells/