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Creamy Beef and Shells Recipe

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Creamy Beef and Shells is a rich, cheesy, and flavorful dish that comes together in just 30 minutes. Featuring tender pasta shells combined with seasoned ground beef and a luscious creamy marinara sauce, this comforting recipe is perfect for a quick family dinner. Even kids love its creamy texture and cheesy goodness.

Ingredients

  • Pasta
  • 8 ounces medium pasta shells

Beef Mixture

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 small sweet onion, diced
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup beef stock
  • 1 (15oz) can marinara sauce
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Cheese

  • 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, freshly grated

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta shells and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
  2. Brown the beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 3-5 minutes. Drain excess fat leaving 1-2 tablespoons, then set beef aside.
  3. Sauté aromatics: In the same skillet, add diced onion and cook for 2 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  4. Make the roux: Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute until lightly browned, which will help thicken the sauce.
  5. Add liquids and seasonings: Gradually whisk in beef stock followed by marinara sauce. Stir in Italian seasoning, dried parsley, oregano, and smoked paprika. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
  6. Combine pasta and beef: Stir the cooked pasta shells and browned beef back into the sauce, mixing well.
  7. Add cream: Stir in heavy cream and heat through for 1-2 minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Finish with sour cream: Stir in sour cream gently until fully incorporated.
  9. Incorporate cheese: Fold in the grated cheddar cheese and stir until melted and the sauce is creamy, about 1-2 minutes.
  10. Serve: Serve immediately, optionally garnished with fresh parsley for added color and flavor.

Notes

  • Choose ground beef with a lean-to-fat ratio of 80/20 for best flavor without excess grease; if using 70/30, be sure to drain all excess fat to prevent greasiness.
  • The pasta should be cooked al dente to avoid sogginess when mixed with the sauce.
  • Adjust the amount of marinara sauce if you prefer a saucier pasta.
  • When browning the beef, leave about 1-2 tablespoons of fat for flavor but discard the rest.
  • To add more nutrition, sauté vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or carrots with the onions and garlic until tender.

Find it online: https://cookedbygrace.com/creamy-beef-and-shells-recipe/