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One-Pot Creamy Beef Shells – Easy & Comforting

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One-Pot Creamy Beef Shells is a rich and comforting one-pan dinner made with tender ground beef, pasta shells, and a creamy cheese sauce. This easy weeknight meal delivers bold flavor with minimal cleanup.

  • Author: Catherine
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Microwave or Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Halal

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 8 oz medium pasta shells (uncooked)
  • 1 cup milk or light cream
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Instructions

  1. Heat a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess grease if needed.
  2. Add diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  3. Stir in paprika and Italian seasoning. Pour in beef broth and tomato sauce, scraping the bottom of the pan to release browned bits.
  4. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Add uncooked pasta shells and stir to ensure they are submerged in the liquid.
  5. Cover and simmer on medium-low heat for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
  6. Reduce heat to low and stir in milk or light cream.
  7. Gradually add shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until fully melted and creamy.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Stir occasionally while cooking to prevent pasta from sticking.
  • If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of warm beef broth.
  • Turn off heat before adding cheese to prevent separation.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Reheat gently with a small amount of milk or broth to restore creaminess.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://recipeshots.com/one-pot-creamy-beef-shells/