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One-Pot Creamy Beef Shells – Easy & Cheesy Dinner

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One-Pot Creamy Beef Shells is a rich and cheesy pasta dinner made with ground beef, tender pasta shells, and a smooth cream sauce—all cooked together in one pot in just 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups small pasta shells
  • 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 tablespoons cream cheese
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • Salt to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
  2. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  3. Stir in diced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Mix in tomato paste and Italian seasoning, stirring well to combine.
  5. Pour in beef broth and milk, stirring until fully incorporated. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  6. Add pasta shells and stir to ensure they are submerged in the liquid.
  7. Cover and simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and sauce begins to thicken.
  8. Reduce heat to low and stir in cream cheese until melted and smooth.
  9. Add shredded cheddar cheese gradually, stirring until fully melted and creamy.
  10. Taste and adjust salt if needed. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.

Notes

  • Stir occasionally while simmering to prevent pasta from sticking.
  • If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of warm milk or broth.
  • Add cheese over low heat to prevent clumping or separation.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Freeze in portion-sized containers for up to 2 months, noting pasta may soften slightly after thawing.

Nutrition

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