Creamy Beef and Shells
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
25 mins
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Total Time
40 mins
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Servings
4 people
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Calories
532 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Creamy Beef and Shells
Description
This recipe starts by cooking seasoned ground beef with diced onions and garlic until the meat is well browned and the onions softened. A blend of hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, mustard powder, and optional red pepper flakes is added to build flavor layers. Flour helps thicken the sauce before beef broth, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and cream cheese are stirred in to create a creamy, tomato-based sauce.
Medium shell pasta is boiled until just tender and stirred into the sauce with half and half for richness. Shredded sharp cheddar cheese is gradually incorporated off heat to melt smoothly into the sauce. The final dish is garnished with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan for brightness and a sharp finish.
The recipe highlights the use of freshly shredded cheese for a better melt and flavor and suggests the hot sauce primarily boosts overall depth rather than spice. Various pasta shapes like rotini or farfalle can substitute for the shells. It is a hearty dish suited for family meals or casual dinners.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef 85% lean
- salt
- black pepper
- 1 onion can sub 1 tsp onion powder, small diced yellow
- 3 cloves garlic can sub ½ tsp garlic powder, minced
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes optional
- 1 tablespoon flour optional-helps thicken the sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 16 oz. tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon cream cheese softened
- ½ cups half and half
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese shredded
- ½ pound medium shell pasta
- parsley to garnish, fresh
- Parmesan Cheese for serving, grated
Instructions
- Shred the cheese and measure out all ingredients prior to beginning. Begin heating the pasta water for boiling.
- Season the ground beef with salt/pepper. Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the beef. Cook and crumble it for 4 minutes. Add the onions and cook for 5 more minutes, or until the onions are softened and the beef is cooked through. Drain grease.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, mustard powder, red pepper flakes, and flour. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the beef broth and use a silicone spatula to ‘clean’ the bottom of the skillet.
- Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, and softened cream cheese. Let the sauce simmer while you boil the shells for 7-8 minutes or as instructed on package. (Optional, add a few teaspoons of salt to the boiling water.)
- Decrease heat to low. Stir in the half and half. Remove from heat and gradually stir in the shredded cheese until well-combined.
- Add the drained pasta and stir to combine. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with garlic bread with cheese and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Shred cheddar cheese from a block for creamier melting and better taste compared to pre-shredded cheese.
- The hot sauce adds subtle flavor enhancement without significant spiciness; Texas Pete hot sauce is recommended.
- Mustard powder and tomato paste add subtle butbs of flavor and thickness but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Different pasta shapes such as rotini, farfalle, or fusilli can be used interchangeably with medium shells.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 532 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 532kcal | 27% |
| Carbohydrates | 33g | 11% |
| Protein | 42g | 84% |
| Fat | 26g | 40% |
| Saturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Trans Fat | 0.4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 127mg | 42% |
| Sodium | 1258mg | 52% |
| Potassium | 1000mg | 21% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 1154IU | 23% |
| Vitamin C | 13mg | 14% |
| Calcium | 395mg | 40% |
| Iron | 5mg | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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