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Creamy Beef and Shells

This creamy and cheesy Beef and Shells pasta recipe is the ultimate family comfort food!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 677 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 lb lean ground beef (I normally use 93/7 for this recipe)
  • 12 oz dried medium pasta shells
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 small white or yellow onion diced
  • 2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 Tbsp all purpose flour
  • 15 oz can tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 - 3 oz cream cheese softened to room temperature
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

COOK THE PASTA
    Cup of Yum
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil pasta to al dente, according to package directions. Drain and set aside. Toss with a little oil to prevent too much sticking.
COOK THE SAUCE
  1. Add oil to a large skillet and heat over MED HIGH heat until hot. Add beef, onion, and garlic and cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking up the meat as it cooks.
  2. If lean beef was used, and there's not much grease in the skillet, you can just continue cooking to simmer that grease away. If there's a lot of grease, you'll want to drain it.
  3. Add in Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and flour, stirring well to combine. Cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes.
  4. Add tomato sauce and stir. Add heavy cream, cream cheese and sour cream and stir well. Simmer a few minutes, stirring often, to really incorporate the cream cheese into the sauce.
STIR IT ALL TOGETHER
  1. Add cheese and cooked pasta, stirring well to combine.
SERVE
  1. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

  • 1 tsp of onion powder can be substituted for the diced onion
  • 1/2 tsp of garlic powder can be substituted for the minced garlic

Nutrition Information

Calories 677kcal (34%) Carbohydrates 51g (17%) Protein 40g (80%) Fat 34g (52%) Saturated Fat 19g (95%) Cholesterol 132mg (44%) Sodium 1040mg (43%) Potassium 751mg (21%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 6g (12%) Vitamin A 1223IU (24%) Vitamin C 6mg (7%) Calcium 481mg (48%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 677

% Daily Value*

Calories 677kcal 34%
Carbohydrates 51g 17%
Protein 40g 80%
Fat 34g 52%
Saturated Fat 19g 95%
Cholesterol 132mg 44%
Sodium 1040mg 43%
Potassium 751mg 16%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 6g 12%
Vitamin A 1223IU 24%
Vitamin C 6mg 7%
Calcium 481mg 48%
Iron 4mg 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.