Description

Creamy Beef and Shells is a quick and hearty weeknight dinner made with ground beef, tender pasta shells, and a rich, cheesy cream sauce. It’s comforting, kid-friendly, and comes together in under 30 minutes!

Ingredients

1 lb medium pasta shells
1 lb ground beef
1 small yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp salt (more to taste)
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 cups beef broth
1 cup marinara sauce
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 tbsp olive oil (optional, for sautéing)
Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

Cook pasta shells according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat.
Add diced onion and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
Season with Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
Sprinkle in flour and stir for 1 minute to coat the beef mixture.
Slowly pour in beef broth while stirring. Add marinara sauce and bring to a simmer.
Stir in heavy cream and reduce heat to low. Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Mix in the cooked pasta shells and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until cheese is melted and everything is well combined.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.

Notes

You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra heat.
This dish reheats well and can be made ahead for meal prep.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
Calories: 540
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 730mg
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 38g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 29g
Cholesterol: 105mg