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Creamy Beef and Shells

A rich, creamy pasta dish with tender beef, cheesy sauce, and shell pasta that holds every bite of flavor.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 680

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 12 oz pasta shells
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 0.5 tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp salt adjust to taste
  • 1 can tomato sauce 15 oz
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 0.5 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 0.5 cup grated Parmesan
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet
  • Wooden spoon
  • Colander

Method
 

  1. Cook pasta shells in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and brown ground beef until cooked through. Drain excess grease.
  3. Add butter, chopped onion, and sauté until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook 1 minute.
  4. Season with paprika, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix well.
  5. Pour in tomato sauce and beef broth. Simmer 5 minutes to blend flavors.
  6. Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream and sour cream until smooth. Warm for 2–3 minutes.
  7. Add cooked pasta shells and stir to coat with sauce.
  8. Add mozzarella and Parmesan, stirring until melted and sauce thickens.
  9. Serve hot, garnished with parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.

Notes

For extra flavor, add sautéed mushrooms or bell peppers. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of broth.