In the realm of comfort foods, few dishes manage to satisfy the craving for something hearty and soul-warming quite like a bowl of creamy pasta. The recipe I’m sharing with you today, Creamy Beef and Shells, is a testament to the magic that happens when simple ingredients come together in just the right way. This dish combines the tender bite of pasta shells with rich, flavorful ground beef, all swathed in a creamy, savory sauce that’s sure to have you coming back for seconds.
Ingredients to Gather
Before we dive into the cooking process, let’s ensure you have everything you need. For this recipe, serving approximately four people, you’ll need:
- Pasta: 8 ounces of medium pasta shells, the perfect vessel for our creamy sauce.
- Protein: 1 pound of ground beef, lending heartiness to the dish.
- Aromatics: 1 small sweet onion, diced, and 5 cloves of garlic, minced, building the flavor base.
- Seasonings: A mix of Italian seasoning, dried parsley, oregano, and smoked paprika, plus kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Thickeners: 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to help our sauce cling to every shell.
- Liquids: 1 cup of beef stock, a 15oz can of marinara sauce for depth, 3/4 cup of heavy cream, and 1/4 cup of sour cream for that luxurious texture.
- Cheese: 1 1/2 cups of freshly grated cheddar cheese, because what’s comfort food without a generous amount of cheese?
Directions to Deliciousness
Now, let’s get cooking! This recipe will take you around 40 minutes from start to finish.
- Prepare the Pasta: Start by cooking your pasta shells in a large pot of boiling salted water according to the package instructions. Once al dente, drain well and set aside.
- Cook the Beef: Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, and cook until browned (about 3-5 minutes). Drain any excess fat and set the beef aside.
- Build the Flavor Base: In the same skillet, add the diced onion, cooking for 2 minutes, then the garlic for an additional minute, just until fragrant.
- Thicken the Sauce: Sprinkle in the flour, whisking for about a minute until lightly browned. Gradually whisk in the beef stock, then add the marinara sauce along with all your seasonings. Let this simmer for 6-8 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Combine and Creamify: Add the cooked pasta and beef back into the skillet. Pour in the heavy cream, adjusting the seasoning with salt and pepper to taste, and stir in the sour cream.
- Cheese It Up: Last but not least, fold in the cheddar cheese until it’s beautifully melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Serve and Enjoy: Your Creamy Beef and Shells are now ready to be enjoyed! Serve it hot, perhaps with a sprinkle of parsley for garnish.
Nutritional Information
For those interested, this comforting dish comes in at approximately 580 kcal per serving, making it a hearty choice for a satisfying meal.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Beef and Shells recipe is more than just a meal; it’s a hug in a bowl, promising warmth, comfort, and a delightful taste with every bite. Whether you’re looking to impress guests, feed a family, or simply treat yourself, this dish ticks all the boxes. Enjoy the process of making it and, more importantly, savor every mouthful. Happy cooking!
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Creamy Beef and Shells
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
This Creamy Beef and Shells recipe is the epitome of comfort food, blending the rich flavors of ground beef, creamy sauce, and tender pasta shells into one irresistible dish. It’s the perfect answer to the question of what to cook when you’re in need of something both satisfying and straightforward, proving that gourmet taste doesn’t require hours in the kitchen. This dish marries the rustic charm of home cooking with the depth of flavor that every food lover craves.
Ingredients
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
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup beef stock
1 (15oz can) marinara sauce
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup sour cream
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, freshly grated
Instructions
Cook pasta according to package instructions in a large pot of boiling salted water and drain well.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes, breaking it with a wooden spoon. Drain excess fat and set aside.
To the same skillet, add diced onion, and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add garlic, and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Whisk in flour until lightly browned, for about 1 minute.
Gradually whisk in beef stock and stir to combine. Add marinara sauce and stir in Italian seasoning, dried parsley, oregano, and paprika.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until reduced and slightly thickened, about 6-8 minutes.
Stir in cooked pasta, and add back beef.
Stir in heavy cream until heated through, about 1-2 minutes. Taste and adjust for salt and pepper.
Stir in the sour cream.
Fold in the cheddar cheese until melted, about 1-2 minutes.
Serve immediately, garnished with parsley if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 580