Description

This One Pot Creamy Beef and Shells dish delivers a comforting blend of savory ground beef and tender pasta shells enveloped in a silky, rich sauce. It's efficient with minimal cleanup as everything cooks in a single vessel, creating a velvety sauce from the pasta's starch.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb Ground Beef (80/20 or 90/10)
12 oz Medium Pasta Shells
1 small Yellow Onion, diced
3 cloves Garlic, minced
2 tablespoons Tomato Paste
3 cups Beef Broth
1/2 cup Heavy Cream
1.5 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded
1 tsp Smoked Paprika
1 tsp Italian Seasoning

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Instructions

Brown the Beef: Place a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until fully browned, breaking it into small crumbles
Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onions to the beef fat and sauté for 4-5 minutes until translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for 60 seconds until fragrant
Caramelize the Paste: Push the meat and onions to the side. Add the tomato paste to the center of the pot and let it cook for 2 minutes until it turns deep brick red
Season and Deglaze: Stir in the smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Pour in a splash of beef broth to scrape up the brown bits from the bottom of the pot
Simmer the Shells: Add remaining beef broth and dry pasta shells. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cover the pot
Monitor the Texture: Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally. The dish is ready when the pasta is al dente and most liquid has been absorbed
Finish the Sauce: Stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese. Turn off the heat and stir until the cheese melts into a smooth sauce

Notes

Use low-sodium beef broth to control salt levels.

Reheat with a splash of liquid to restore texture.

Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 485 kcal
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 650mg
Fat: 24g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 39g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 28g
Cholesterol: 80mg