🥘 Creamy Beef and Shells
A hearty, comforting one-pot meal with tender pasta shells, savory ground beef, and a rich creamy sauce — perfect for weeknight dinners.
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz / 410g) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 2 cups pasta shells (medium or small)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Optional: fresh parsley or basil for garnish
🥣 Instructions
1️⃣ Cook the Beef
- In a large skillet or pot, brown the ground beef over medium heat.
- Drain excess fat.
- Add onion and garlic; sauté until softened (~3–4 minutes).
2️⃣ Add Liquids & Seasoning
- Stir in diced tomatoes, beef broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a gentle boil.
3️⃣ Cook Pasta Shells
- Add dry pasta shells to the skillet.
- Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
4️⃣ Make it Creamy
- Stir in heavy cream and shredded cheese.
- Cook 2–3 minutes until sauce is creamy and cheese is melted.
5️⃣ Serve
- Garnish with fresh parsley or basil.
- Serve hot, optionally with garlic bread or a side salad.
🔥 Tips & Variations
Extra Cheesy
- Add more cheese on top and broil for 1–2 minutes before serving.
Veggie Boost
- Stir in chopped spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms.
Tomato-Free Version
- Replace diced tomatoes with ½ cup tomato sauce or leave them out for a creamier, white sauce version.
Make-Ahead
- Prepare up to step 4, cool, and refrigerate. Reheat with a splash of broth or milk before serving.
If you want, I can also give you:
- One-pot cheesy version with 3 cheeses
- Quick 20-minute weeknight version
- Low-carb version with pasta alternatives
Do you want it tomato-forward or rich and creamy with mostly white sauce?
