Hearty Homestyle Beef and Shells Recipe for Cozy Dinners

When comfort meets culinary magic in this hearty beef and shells recipe, something extraordinary happens on your dinner plate.

Rich, meaty flavors meld perfectly with tender pasta shells, creating a dish that speaks straight to the soul.

Every bite promises a delightful blend of ground beef, melted cheese, and perfectly cooked pasta.

The simple ingredients come together effortlessly, making this meal a weeknight champion.

Robust seasonings dance through the dish, turning ordinary ingredients into an exceptional dinner.

Weeknight dinners never looked this good or tasted this incredible.

Dig in and savor every comforting spoonful of this irresistible pasta perfection.

Simple Instructions for Beef and Shells Recipe

• Kitchen Prep Workspace

Clear your cooking area and gather all needed tools like skillet, pot, cutting board, and utensils for smooth meal creation.

• Pasta Foundation

Boil water in a large pot and cook pasta shells until tender, ensuring they’re perfectly cooked with a slight bite.

• Aromatic Onion Base

Sauté chopped onions in olive oil, creating a fragrant starting point for your delicious meat sauce with golden, soft edges.

• Protein Power

Brown ground beef in the same skillet, breaking it into delicate crumbles while releasing rich, savory flavors and eliminating excess fat.

• Sauce Symphony

Introduce garlic and chili powder to deepen the sauce’s complexity, then blend tomato sauce and beef broth for a luxurious, simmering mixture.

• Creamy Harmony

Swirl heavy cream into the sauce, seasoning with salt and pepper to elevate the entire dish’s taste profile and create a silky texture.

• Final Fusion

Combine cooked pasta shells with the robust sauce, ensuring each shell is generously coated with the decadent meat mixture before serving immediately.

Flavor Additions and Tricks for Beef and Shells

• Try ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner protein option that keeps all the delicious flavor without compromising taste.
• Adjust the chili powder quantity based on your heat tolerance – use less for mild preferences or add extra red pepper flakes for adventurous palates who love a spicy kick.
• Sprinkle sharp cheddar or grated parmesan directly on top just before serving to create an extra creamy and indulgent texture that melts beautifully into the warm sauce.
• This recipe freezes wonderfully for up to 3 months when stored in airtight containers, making it perfect for busy weeknight meal prep or unexpected dinner surprises.
• Incorporate diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach during the onion sautéing stage to increase nutritional value and add subtle depth to the overall dish's complexity.

How to Serve Beef and Shells with Style

• Comfort Plate Pairing: Create a wholesome meal by serving the beef and shells alongside a crisp green salad dressed with light vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy pasta.
• Fresh Herb Sprinkle: Garnish each serving with chopped fresh parsley or basil to add a bright, aromatic touch that cuts through the hearty meat sauce and enhances overall flavor profile.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Top the dish with a generous handful of shredded cheddar or parmesan cheese, allowing it to melt slightly and create an extra layer of decadent, creamy goodness.
• Bread Companion: Serve warm garlic bread or crusty French bread on the side to soak up the delicious sauce and provide a perfect textural contrast to the tender pasta and beef.

Store Beef and Shells the Right Way

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftovers in airtight containers within two hours of cooking, keeping the beef and shells fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Seal tightly to maintain flavor and prevent moisture loss.
• Freezing Magic: Transfer cooled dish to freezer-safe containers, ensuring flat storage to maximize space. Freeze up to 2 months, labeling with date and contents for easy tracking. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Warm portions in microwave with splash of beef broth to restore moisture and prevent dryness. Stir occasionally during heating to distribute warmth evenly and maintain original creamy texture.
• Batch Prep Wisdom: Double the recipe and portion into individual servings for convenient grab-and-go meals. Separate into single-serving containers for quick weeknight dinners or lunch meal prep, saving time and reducing daily cooking stress.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 455 kcal

Servings: 5

Must-Have Ingredients for Beef and Shells

• Medium Shells: Perfectly curved pasta that cradles the rich sauce and meat, creating delightful bites with maximum flavor capture.

• Lean Ground Beef, Onion, Garlic: Robust combination providing hearty texture and deep, savory foundation with rich umami notes; choose ground beef with 85-90% lean ratio for optimal moisture and flavor.
• Olive Oil: Essential for sautéing vegetables and beef, adding subtle fruity undertones and preventing sticking.

• Chili Powder: Adds warm, slightly spicy depth without overwhelming heat; look for fresh, vibrant ground chili for maximum flavor punch.
• Tomato Sauce: Creates silky, tangy base that binds ingredients; choose no-salt-added versions for better control of dish's saltiness.
• Beef Broth: Intensifies meat flavor and adds moisture; opt for low-sodium varieties to manage overall salt content.
• Heavy Cream: Brings luxurious richness and smooths out sauce's acidity; room temperature cream blends more seamlessly.
• Salt & Pepper: Critical for balancing and elevating all other ingredients' natural flavors; use freshly ground black pepper for maximum aroma.

Tool to Cook Beef and Shells Smoothly

• Large pot: Essential for boiling pasta perfectly.
• Skillet: Primary cooking surface for sautéing onions and browning beef.
• Wooden spoon: Helps break up ground beef and stir sauce smoothly.
• Colander: Used to drain pasta shells after cooking.
• Measuring spoons: Helpful for precise seasoning with chili powder and salt.
• Chef's knife: Needed for chopping onions and mincing garlic.
• Cutting board: Provides clean surface for ingredient preparation.

Creamy Beef and Shells Recipe

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4.6 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

This comforting beef and shells recipe combines hearty ground beef with creamy pasta shells in a rich tomato sauce. Savory seasonings and melted cheese create a satisfying meal perfect for family dinners you will crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (454 g) lean ground beef
• 8 oz (226 g) medium uncooked shells
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 (14 oz/397 g) can tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
• ⅓ cup beef broth
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• ½ medium onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Bring salted water to a vigorous boil in a large pot, submerge shell pasta, and cook until perfectly al dente, maintaining a slight bite to the texture.
2. Aromatic Foundation: Heat olive oil in a heavy skillet, sauté finely chopped onions until translucent and fragrant, creating a flavor-rich base for the dish.
3. Meat Transformation: Introduce ground beef to the skillet, methodically crumble and brown until completely cooked, eliminating any trace of pink while carefully managing excess fat drainage.
4. Flavor Acceleration: Incorporate minced garlic and chili powder into the meat mixture, then introduce tomato sauce and beef broth, developing a robust and complex sauce profile.
5. Sauce Refinement: Reduce heat and allow the sauce to gently simmer, concentrating flavors and achieving a slightly thickened consistency that clings perfectly to the pasta shells.
6. Creamy Finale: Blend heavy cream into the sauce, creating a luxurious texture and seasoning with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to elevate the overall taste experience.
7. Harmonious Combination: Thoroughly drain the cooked pasta shells and fold them into the beef sauce, ensuring each shell is completely enveloped in the creamy, spiced mixture, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.
8. Presentation: Plate the dish with an artistic touch, optionally garnishing with fresh herbs or a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese, serving immediately to preserve the optimal temperature and flavor profile.

Notes

• Pasta Perfection: Cook shells al dente to maintain a slightly firm texture that prevents mushiness when mixed with sauce.
• Fat Management: Drain excess beef fat thoroughly to prevent greasy, heavy dish and ensure clean, rich meat flavor.
• Simmering Secret: Allow sauce to reduce slowly, letting spices and liquids concentrate for deeper, more complex taste profile.
• Cream Caution: Add heavy cream off direct high heat to prevent separation and maintain smooth, silky sauce consistency.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 455
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 480 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg