Description
Here’s a comforting and easy recipe for One-Pot Creamy Beef and Shells. This dish combines tender pasta shells with savory ground beef in a rich, cheesy tomato sauce, all cooked in a single pot for minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 8 ounces (about 2 1/2 cups) medium pasta shells
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Sautรฉ the Beef and Onions:ย In a large skillet or pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for about 3 minutes, breaking it apart as it browns. Add the diced onion and continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the onion is soft, about 3 more minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and Italian seasoning, cooking until fragrant, approximately 1 minute.
- Add Liquids and Pasta:ย Pour in the beef broth and tomato sauce, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, add the pasta shells. Cover the pot, reduce the heat to medium-low, and let it simmer. Stir occasionally until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened slightly, about 10-12 minutes.
- Incorporate Cream and Cheese:ย Remove the pot from heat. Stir in the heavy cream and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Add the shredded white cheddar cheese, stirring until it’s fully melted and the sauce is creamy, about 2 minutes.
- Serve:ย Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired. Serve the dish hot and enjoy!
Notes
- For a bit of heat, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the Italian seasoning.
- Feel free to substitute the white cheddar with sharp cheddar or a cheese blend of your choice.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, you can adjust the consistency by adding a little more beef broth or cream until it reaches your preferred thickness.