Description
One-Pot Creamy Beef and Shells is a quick, comforting weeknight dinner featuring ground beef, pasta shells, and a creamy sauce all made in one pot.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups uncooked pasta shells
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add onion and garlic and sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Stir in paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
- Add uncooked pasta shells and beef broth. Stir well and bring to a gentle boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender.
- Stir in milk and heavy cream, then add shredded cheddar cheese.
- Cook for 2–3 minutes until the sauce is creamy and the cheese is fully melted. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- Leftover creamy beef and shells keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half or milk instead of heavy cream, and reduce cheese slightly.
- To make dairy-free, substitute almond milk and a dairy-free cheese alternative.
- Leftover can be reheated gently on the stove with a splash of milk.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 830
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 90 g
- Saturated Fat: 40 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 50 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg
Keywords: One-Pot Creamy Beef and Shells, creamy pasta, one-pot pasta, weeknight dinner, beef and shells, stovetop pasta, easy weeknight meal