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Creamy Beef and Shells (Easy 30-Minute Comfort Dinner)

Creamy Beef and Shells (Easy 30-Minute Comfort Dinner)
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Creamy Beef and Shells is a rich, comforting, and family-friendly dinner that comes together in just 30 minutes. Tender pasta shells are coated in a creamy, cheesy tomato sauce with savory ground beef and Italian seasoning. It’s a cozy one-pan meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights—and even picky eaters love it.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 8 ounces medium pasta shells

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 1 pound ground beef

  • 1 small sweet onion, diced

  • 5 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley

  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano

  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • 1 cup beef stock

  • 1 (15 oz) can marinara sauce

  • ¾ cup heavy cream

  • ¼ cup sour cream

  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

  • 1½ cups cheddar cheese, freshly grated

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta.
    Cook the pasta shells according to package instructions in a large pot of salted water. Drain and set aside.

  • Brown the beef.
    Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 3–5 minutes, breaking it up as it browns. Drain excess fat and set beef aside.

  • Sauté aromatics.
    In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook for 2 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.

  • Make the sauce base.
    Sprinkle in the flour and whisk for about 1 minute until lightly golden.

  • Add liquids and seasoning.
    Slowly whisk in the beef stock until smooth. Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, parsley, oregano, and smoked paprika.

  • Simmer.
    Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.

  • Combine.
    Stir in the cooked pasta and browned beef. Add the heavy cream and cook for 1–2 minutes until warmed through.

  • Finish creamy and cheesy.
    Stir in the sour cream, then fold in the cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.

  • Serve.
    Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve immediately, garnished with parsley if desired.

Notes

  • Use freshly grated cheese for smoother melting and better texture.

  • Don’t skip the sour cream—it adds extra richness and balances the tomato sauce.

  • Make it spicier with red pepper flakes or hot paprika.

  • Swap the protein with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.

  • Leftovers reheat well—add a splash of milk or cream when reheating.

Find it online: https://biteseason.com/creamy-beef-and-shells-easy-30-minute-comfort-dinner/