Irresistible Creamy Beef and Shells Recipe
A rich and comforting creamy beef and shells recipe that combines tender ground beef, al dente pasta shells, and a luscious creamy sauce seasoned with Italian herbs. Perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner, this dish is easy to prepare and packed with flavor.
- Author: Lisa
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sauteing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Salt
Beef and Sauce
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pasta
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta shells and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Brown the Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef, finely chopped onion, and minced garlic. Cook until the beef is fully browned and the onions are translucent, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Simmer with Broth and Seasoning: Add the low-sodium beef broth and Italian seasoning to the skillet. Stir to combine and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Add Cream and Thicken Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and reduce the heat to low. Let the sauce simmer gently for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens slightly.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Gently fold the cooked pasta shells into the creamy beef sauce, ensuring all the pasta is well coated. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve: Serve the creamy beef and shells hot, optionally garnished with a sprinkle of extra Italian seasoning or fresh herbs for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Use low-sodium beef broth to control the salt content of the dish.
- Fresh Italian herbs like basil or oregano can be used instead of dried Italian seasoning.
- Make sure not to overcook the pasta; it should remain firm to avoid a mushy texture.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stove or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: thirty-five g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: creamy beef pasta, beef and shells, easy dinner recipe, one skillet meal, Italian seasoning beef pasta