Creamy Beef and Shells
The ultimate comfort food, Creamy Beef and Shells combines tender pasta, savory beef, and creamy sauces for a delicious and easy weeknight dinner. Perfect for cozy nights in or family gatherings, this dish is sure to satisfy your cravings!
Equipment
- Skillet
- Whisk
- Large Pot
- Saucepan
- Grater
- Wooden Spoon
- Cutting Board
Ingredients
- 8 ounces medium pasta shells
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small sweet onion
- 5 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup beef stock
- 1 15 oz can marinara sauce
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese freshly grated
Instructions
- 1. Begin by cooking the pasta according to the package instructions in a large pot of boiling salted water. Once it's al dente, drain it well and set it aside.
- 2. Next, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and start breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until it’s browned, which should take about 3 to 5 minutes. Once cooked, drain any excess fat and set the beef aside.
- 3. In the same skillet, toss in the diced onion. Sauté for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently until it starts to become translucent. Then, add the minced garlic and cook until you can smell its fragrant aroma, around 1 minute.
- 4. Now, it's time to whisk in the flour. Stir continuously for about 1 minute, allowing it to get slightly browned.
- 5. Gradually whisk in the beef stock while mixing to combine. Then, add the marinara sauce along with the Italian seasoning, dried parsley, dried oregano, and smoked paprika. Bring everything to a gentle boil.
- 6. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer. Stir occasionally as it thickens, about 6 to 8 minutes.
- 7. After simmering, gently stir in your cooked pasta along with the reserved beef. Mix it well, allowing the pasta to soak up all those wonderful flavors.
- 8. Next, pour in the heavy cream and stir until heated through, which will take about 1 to 2 minutes. Taste it at this point and adjust the salt and pepper to your liking.
- 9. Now, add the sour cream into the mixture, stirring gently to combine.
- 10. Finally, fold in the freshly grated cheddar cheese until it’s melted and integrated into the mix. Serve it immediately, garnished with some parsley if you wish.
Notes
- Tip 1: The pasta should be saucy, not dry; add more marinara sauce if needed.
- Tip 2: To prevent the pasta from being soggy, make sure to cook it just al dente so that when you combine it with the sauce, further cooking will not make it too mushy.
- Tip 3: Equally important is to drain the beef grease, just leave in 1 to 2 tablespoons for extra flavor.
- Tip 4: If you add more vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and carrots, remember to saute them with the onion and garlic until tender.