Creamy Beef and Shells

Creamy Beef and Shells is a hearty pasta dish that turns a quick dinner into a comforting feast for the family, all with simple ingredients that show homemade is truly better than any boxed pasta mix. With tender pasta shells, perfectly seasoned beef, and a cheesy tomato sauce, it’s the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table with a smile.

If you are looking for a simple recipe the whole family will love, you are in the right place. Creamy beef and shells is a fantastic and complete meal that doesn’t take an abundance of effort. The sauce has a flawless balance of flavors, the ground beef is seasoned to perfection and the shells soak up all that flavor wonderfully. It is a great dish for any night of the week. 

The good news about this hearty dish, is that it is simple to make. Creamy beef and shells doesn’t require much in the way of ingredients, and doesn’t take long to be ready to serve. It is perfect for meal prep, potlucks and weeknight dinners. 

Why You’ll Love Creamy Beef and Shells 

• Quick and Easy: With a prep time of just 5 minutes and a total cook time of 20 minutes, this recipe is great for busy families. You can easily prepare this satisfying meal without spending too much time in the kitchen. It is fantastic well rounded meal for busy weeknights, without all the fuss. 
• Comforting: Creamy beef and shells is a comforting and hearty dish. If you are craving comfort food, the luxurious sauce combined with the pasta shells and melty cheddar cheese will surely satisfy all your cravings. 
• Versatile: This recipe is incredibly versatile. You can easily customize it to suit your tastes. Adjust the seasonings, add different types of cheeses or incorporate your favorite vegetables. No matter what you choose, this easy ground beef recipe will be delicious. 
• Family Friendly: This simple recipe is sure to become a family favorite. With minimal ingredients and a delicious flavor, even picky eaters will look forward to eating it. Creamy beef and shells is a fantastic well rounded recipe that is perfect for family meals.

Ingredients 

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

• Pasta shells
• Cooking oil
• Yellow onion
• Garlic
• Ground beef
• Tomato paste
• Beef stock
• Dijon mustard
• Italian seasoning
• Paprika
• Heavy cream
• Cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper
• Parsley, for garnish

How to Make Creamy Beef and Shells

• Step One: Prepare pasta shells according to the package directions.
• Step Two: Coat the bottom of a large sauté pan with cooking oil and sauté onions and garlic medium high heat until fragrant (about 1 minute). Add ground beef and chop into crumbles with a wooden spoon, cook until no longer pink (about 4 minutes).
• Step Three: Lower heat to medium low and add tomato paste, beef stock, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, and paprika. Stir until well combined and a thick sauce forms.

• Step Four: Stir in heavy cream and cheese, the cheese will melt into a creamy sauce. Add cooked and drained pasta shells and stir until evenly covered in sauce. Garnish with dry or fresh parsley and serve warm.

Equipment Needed

Get our FREE
e-cookbook

I want it!

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime.

This post contains affiliate links.

• Large pan 
• Spatula 
• Strainer

What to Serve with Creamy Beef and Shells

This family-friendly meal pairs well with several different sides. Serve it with your favorite for a hearty meal. 

• Cucumber Salad
• Side Salad
• Garlic Bread 
• Green Beans
• Broccoli Salad with Homemade Ranch Dressing

Variations and Substitutions

• Meat Variations: You can use lean ground beef, ground turkey, ground chicken, or even a plant based meat substitute to make this recipe. The protein source you choose to use is highly customizable and entirely up to you. 
• Cheese Options: Creamy beef and shells is great with any type of cheese. You can use a combination of cheddar, mozzarella, pepper jack and more. You can even add some parmesan cheese to the top of the dish when you serve it. 
• Add Some Spice: Add some heat to this easy dinner. If you like spice you can increase the heat by adding in red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce. This will add a delicious kick to your meal. 
• Herb Infusion: Experiment by adding different herbs into the creamy tomato sauce. Fresh basil, oregano and thyme can add a yummy burst of flavor to your creamy beef and shells recipe. 
• Pasta Options: If you don’t have shell pasta on hand or prefer to use a different shape, feel free to change it up. Whole wheat or gluten free pasta works well in this recipe. You can also use penne or rotini if you desire a different pasta shape.
• Stock Variations: You can use any kind of stock that you have on hand. If you don’t have beef broth, opt for vegetable or chicken broth. No matter what you choose, this dish is sure to be delicious.

Storage Instructions

If you decide to make this easy creamy beef and shells recipe as meal prep, or have leftovers, you can easily store it. Allow the dish to cool, place it in an airtight container and place it in the fridge. It will keep well for up to 5 days. 

Can I Freeze?

Yes. You can freeze this recipe. Freezing is a fantastic option for meal prepping. Place your cooled recipe in an airtight, freezer safe container. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. 

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Cook Pasta: When cooking the pasta you want to ensure that you don’t overcook it. Cook it until just al dente. This is because the pasta cooks a bit more when it is mixed with the sauce. If you over cook it, you will end up with mushy pasta shells. 
• Melt Cheese: When adding your cheese into your sauce, do so gradually. As you add your cheese, make sure to stir continuously. This will allow the cheese to melt and properly incorporate into your sauce, resulting in a smooth texture.
• Thicken Sauce: If you find that your sauce is too thin, you can allow it to simmer a little longer. This will help some of the liquid to evaporate out of the sauce, giving it time to thicken. 
• Garnish: Don’t forget to garnish! The fresh parsley not only adds color to the dish but it’s bright, herbaceous flavor compliments the richness of the creamy beef and shells. 

What is Beef and Shells?

Beef and Shells is a pasta dish with ground beef and pasta shells in a creamy sauce made with tomato paste, beef stock, mustard, and spices. It’s topped with shredded cheddar cheese and often garnished with herbs. The dish is known for its comforting and hearty flavors.

Should I Drain the Grease From the Skillet?

Yes, drain the excess grease from the skillet after cooking the ground beef. It helps reduce the fat content and ensures a balanced and pleasant texture to the finished product. If you don’t drain the grease, you may end up with an oily mess. 

What Can I Use Instead of Tomato Paste?

No need to rush to the store if you run out of tomato paste. Both tomato sauce and tomato puree make excellent substitutes. Simply use 3 tablespoons of tomato puree or sauce for every 1 tablespoon of tomato paste required.

Pasta Recipes

• Stove-top Mac and Cheese
• One-Pot Chili Rigatoni
• Crack Chicken Spaghetti
• One Pot Sausage and Cheese Cappelletti
• One-Pot Unstuffed Pepper Pasta
• Chili Cheese Stuffed Shells

FAQ

Beef Recipes

• Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli Ramen
• Baked Beans with Ground Beef
• Slow Cooker Mississippi Beef Stew
• Slow Cooker Beef Enchilada Casserole
• Texas Beef Skillet
• Chow Mein Skillet

Follow me on Instagram @simplystacieblog, Facebook at Simply Stacie, TikTok @simplystacierecipes or Pinterest at @simplystacie and let me know how you liked this recipe and my other recipes.