Description
Easy Creamy Beef and Shells is a comforting and budget-friendly pasta dish featuring tender beef, a rich tomato-based sauce, and a touch of cream for indulgence. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe combines al dente pasta shells with savory flavors enhanced by garlic, chili powder, and a velvety finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces medium uncooked shells
Beef Mixture
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 medium onion (chopped)
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 (14 ounce) can tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- 1/3 cup beef broth
- 1/4 cup heavy/whipping cream
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil water in a large pot and cook the medium shells until al dente following the package directions. Drain and set aside once cooked.
- Sauté Onions: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sauté the chopped onion for about 5 minutes, allowing it to soften and brown slightly for enhanced flavor.
- Brown the Beef: Add the lean ground beef to the skillet with the onions and cook for around 5 minutes, breaking the meat up with a spoon. Remove excess fat if necessary to avoid greasiness.
- Add Seasonings and Liquids: Stir in minced garlic and chili powder, then pour in the tomato sauce and beef broth. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly but doesn’t dry out.
- Finish with Cream and Season: Stir the heavy cream into the meat sauce, season with salt and pepper to taste, and warm through gently. Toss the sauce with the drained pasta shells until thoroughly combined.
- Serve: Plate the creamy beef and shells immediately while hot for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- This recipe takes about 30 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for quick dinners.
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and calories.
- Feel free to swap heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Adding a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like extra heat complements the chili powder nicely.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 481 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 687 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 91 mg
