The Perfect Beef and Shells Recipe for Cozy Family Dinners

Beef and shells dance together in a culinary symphony of comfort and flavor.

Warm, inviting aromas waft through the kitchen as hearty ingredients mingle with delicate pasta.

Home cooks adore this straightforward recipe that upgrades simple components into a memorable meal.

Robust beef melds seamlessly with soft, curved shells, creating a perfect texture combination.

Family members will gather eagerly around the table, anticipating each delicious forkful of this satisfying dish.

The harmonious blend of protein and pasta ensures a quick, nourishing dinner that feels like a warm embrace.

Your kitchen will become a haven of deliciousness with this crowd-pleasing recipe.

Hearty Beef and Shells That Satisfy

• Savor Quick Comfort: This beef and shells recipe delivers a super satisfying meal in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights when hunger strikes fast.
• Creamy Texture Delight: Heavy cream transforms the sauce into a luxuriously smooth experience, coating each pasta shell with rich, velvety goodness that melts in your mouth.
• Flavor-Packed One-Pot Wonder: Combining ground beef, aromatic spices, and tomato sauce creates a deeply seasoned dish that brings bold, hearty flavors without complicated cooking techniques.

Pairing Beef and Shells with Garlic Bread

• Craft a Zesty Wine Companion: Pair this hearty beef and shells dish with a medium-bodied red wine like Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon. Its robust flavor perfectly complements the rich, meaty sauce and cuts through the creamy texture.
• Elevate with Fresh Herbal Garnish: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil or parsley on top to add a bright, aromatic dimension. These herbs will lift the dish's deep flavors and provide a refreshing contrast to the heavy beef and cream sauce.
• Create a Crisp Side Salad: Balance the richness with a light, tangy green salad dressed in a simple vinaigrette. The acidity and crunch will cleanse the palate between bites and add nutritional variety to your meal.
• Serve with Crusty Garlic Bread: Accompany the pasta with warm, buttery garlic bread to soak up the delicious sauce. The crispy texture and additional garlic notes will enhance the overall dining experience and make the meal more satisfying.

Variations of Beef and Shells

• Spicy Southwest Shells: Replace chili powder with taco seasoning and add diced green chilies. Sprinkle shredded pepper jack cheese on top before serving for extra heat.
• Mediterranean Beef Shells: Swap tomato sauce with crushed tomatoes and incorporate crumbled feta cheese. Mix in dried oregano and fresh basil leaves for a Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Creamy Mushroom Beef Shells: Sauté sliced mushrooms with onions before adding ground beef. Replace beef broth with mushroom broth and stir in cream cheese for an extra rich sauce.
• Cheesy Bacon Ranch Shells: Crumble cooked bacon into the sauce and stir in ranch seasoning mix. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and chopped green onions for added complexity.

Ingredients for a Flavorful Beef and Shells

• Pasta Shells: Classic pasta shape perfect for catching rich sauce and holding meaty goodness, choose medium or large shells for best results.
• Olive Oil: Essential for sautéing vegetables and creating a smooth cooking base, use extra virgin for richer flavor.

• Ground Beef: Primary protein source that adds hearty texture, select 80/20 lean to fat ratio for best flavor and moisture.
• Beef Broth: Adds depth and richness to the sauce, low-sodium versions allow better control of overall saltiness.

• Onion: Aromatic base that provides sweet undertones and depth to the dish, yellow onions work best for this recipe.
• Garlic: Sharp, pungent ingredient that intensifies overall flavor profile, fresh garlic cloves recommended over pre-minced.
• Chili Powder: Adds warm, subtle heat and complexity to the sauce, adjust quantity based on spice preference.
• Tomato Sauce: Creates a rich, tangy foundation for the entire dish, choose a high-quality, smooth variety.
• Heavy Cream: Brings luxurious creaminess and binds sauce components, full-fat version provides best texture.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning that balances and elevates all other flavors, use freshly ground black pepper if possible.

How to Make Beef and Shells Deliciously

Step 1: Boil Pasta

Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Sauté Onions

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions and cook for 5 minutes until they become soft and translucent.

Step 3: Brown the Beef

Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5 minutes until the meat is completely browned. Drain excess fat if needed.

Step 4: Build the Flavor Base

• Tomato sauce
• Beef broth

Mix well and let the sauce simmer for 4-5 minutes until it starts to thicken.

Step 5: Cream and Season

Gently stir in heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce warm through for 2-3 minutes.

Step 6: Combine and Serve

Add cooked pasta shells directly into the skillet. Toss gently to coat every shell with the creamy beef sauce. Serve immediately while hot, garnishing with fresh herbs if desired.

Tips for the Best Beef and Shells

• Choose the Right Pasta: Select medium or large shell pasta for optimal sauce-catching ability, ensuring each bite is packed with flavor.
• Brown Meat Perfectly: Cook ground beef on high heat to develop a deep, caramelized crust that adds rich, complex taste to the dish.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Adjust simmering time to thicken sauce naturally; longer cooking creates a more intense, concentrated flavor profile.
• Prevent Pasta Overcooking: Remove shells from boiling water just before they reach full tenderness, as they'll continue cooking when mixed with hot sauce.
• Enhance Cream Incorporation: Warm heavy cream slowly to prevent separation, creating a smooth, silky sauce that coats pasta evenly.

Storing and Reheating Beef and Shells

• Refrigeration: Transfer cooled Beef and Shells to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping the pasta and sauce together to maintain moisture and flavor.
• Freezing: Seal the dish in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for maximum 2-3 months. Frozen leftovers preserve best when the sauce completely covers the pasta shells.
• Reheating: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before warming. Microwave method: Place in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval.

Beef and Shells Recipe

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4.9 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty beef and shells bring comfort to dinner tables with rich, meaty sauce clinging to tender pasta curves. Home cooks can savor this simple yet satisfying Italian-American classic that promises warmth in every delicious bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 1 pound lean ground beef

Pasta:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) medium uncooked shells

Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 (14 ounces/397 grams) 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. Fill a large pot with water and salt, bringing it to a rolling boil. Cook shell pasta according to package directions until tender yet firm (al dente), typically 8-10 minutes.
2. While pasta cooks, warm olive oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped onions and sauté until translucent and softened, approximately 4-5 minutes.
3. Introduce ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into small crumbles using a wooden spoon. Cook thoroughly until no pink remains, about 6-7 minutes, carefully draining any excess fat.
4. Mince fresh garlic and sprinkle chili powder into the meat mixture, stirring to distribute evenly. Pour in tomato sauce and beef broth, creating a rich, fragrant base.
5. Reduce heat and allow sauce to simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until it slightly thickens and flavors meld together, around 5-6 minutes.
6. Stir in heavy cream, creating a luxurious texture. Season generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
7. Drain cooked pasta shells thoroughly, then immediately fold them into the beef sauce, ensuring each shell is generously coated with the creamy, spiced mixture.
8. Transfer to serving plates, garnishing with optional fresh herbs or grated parmesan cheese. Serve piping hot for maximum flavor and enjoyment.

Notes

• Make sure to drain pasta shells thoroughly to prevent watery sauce consistency.
• Customize heat levels by adjusting chili powder quantity based on personal spice preferences.
• Select ground beef with 80/20 fat ratio for optimal flavor and moisture retention.
• Keep leftover dish refrigerated in airtight container for up to 3 days, reheating gently to maintain sauce texture.
• Fresh herbs like parsley or chives can brighten the final presentation and add subtle complexity to the rich flavor profile.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 485 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg