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+ servings

Creamy Beef and Shells

Creamy Beef and Shells is a delightful comfort food that combines ground beef, creamy dairy, and pasta in a one-pan meal, perfect for busy weeknights.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 360 kcal

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Meat

  • 8 ounces medium pasta shells
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 small sweet onion (diced)
  • 5 cloves garlic (minced)

Seasonings

  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

Sauce Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup beef stock
  • 1 15oz can marinara sauce
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup sour cream

Cheese

  • 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese (freshly grated)

Oils

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Cook the pasta according to package instructions in a large pot of boiling salted water. Drain it well when done.
  • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Drain the excess fat and set the beef aside.
  • In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Then, add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  • Whisk in the flour and cook until lightly browned, about 1 minute.

Cooking

  • Gradually whisk in the beef stock, stirring to combine. Then add the marinara sauce along with the Italian seasoning, dried parsley, oregano, and smoked paprika.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer, stirring occasionally, until it reduces and thickens slightly, about 6-8 minutes.
  • Stir in the cooked pasta and add the beef back into the skillet.
  • Next, stir in the heavy cream and heat through, about 1-2 minutes. Taste and adjust for salt and pepper.
  • Stir in the sour cream, followed by the cheddar cheese until it melts, about 1-2 minutes.
  • Serve immediately, garnished with parsley if desired.

Notes

Make sure to not overcook the pasta; it will continue to cook when mixed with the sauce. Use freshly grated cheese for the best melting results. Feel free to adjust the seasonings to taste; more spice can be added if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 360kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 21gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 600mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3g
Keyword Comfort Food, Creamy Beef and Shells, Easy Dinner, One Pan Meal, Pasta
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