It seems like I’m always looking for ground beef recipes. I like the fact that lean ground beef is a great protein source and my kids love it. When I came across this creamy beef and shells recipe (or how my husband calls it “damn delicious creamy beef and shells”), I knew I had found one of their favorite meals ever. It didn’t disappoint!
Ingredients you’ll need:
- Lean ground beef: at least 90% lean to avoid the extra fat
- Spices: Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and dried parsley
- All-purpose flour: 2 tablespoons to help thicken the sauce
- Pasta shells: 8 oz medium-sized pasta shells
- Onion and garlic: ½ cup of finely diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves
- Beef broth: 2 cups of low-sodium beef broth
- Tomato sauce: one 15 oz can of tomato sauce. You can also use crushed tomatoes
- Heavy or whipping cream: you can also use half and half to reduce the calories
- Cheddar and Parmesan cheese: for the cheesiest pasta!
- Fresh parsley: 2 tablespoons of freshly chopped parsley
How Do You Make Beef and Shells Recipe?
To make this fantastic creamy beef and shells, follow these easy steps:
- In a medium-sized pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the beef with the onion and garlic until no pink is left on the meat, breaking it up as you cook it. Season with salt and pepper to taste
- Add the spices and flour, and cook for another two minutes.
- Pour in the beef broth, tomato sauce, and heavy cream. Cook until the sauce thickens, about 7-8 minutes. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Throw in the cooked pasta, cheddar, parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley. Serve immediately.
How to Serve?
To make creamy beef and shells part of an amazing meal, I like to start with a fresh Tomato Cucumber Onion Salad, or a delicious Easy Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Recipe.
A loaf of freshly baked Italian Bread Recipe is also a must to sop up all the yummy sauce. For dessert, Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe, or Nova Scotia Blueberry Cream Cake are great options!
How To Store Leftovers?
If you have any leftovers, place them in an airtight container and in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze them for up to 3 months.
Easy Creamy Beef and Shells
Ingredients
- 8 oz medium pasta shells
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tsp dried parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cup low-sodium beef broth
- 1- 15 oz can tomato sauce
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream or half and half
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley
Instructions
- In a medium-sized pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the beef with the onion and garlic until no pink is left on the meat, breaking it up as you cook it. Season with salt and pepper to taste
- Add the Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, dried parsley, and flour, and cook for another two minutes.
- Pour in the beef broth, tomato sauce, and heavy cream. Cook until the sauce thickens, about 7-8 minutes. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Throw in the cooked pasta, cheddar, parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley. Serve immediately.
