Description
This One-Pot Creamy Beef and Shells is cozy, comforting, and weeknight-friendly. Tender pasta shells simmer right in a rich, creamy beef sauce, then get finished with melty cheddar and sweet pops of peas. Everything cooks in one pot minimal cleanup, maximum flavor, and a hearty dinner on the table in about 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (more to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups uncooked medium shell pasta
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic and sauté for 2–3 minutes, until the onion is softened and translucent.
- Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 5–7 minutes, until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper until the beef is evenly coated with the spices.
- Pour in the beef broth and heavy cream. Stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot, and bring to a gentle boil.
- Add the uncooked shell pasta, stirring to make sure the pasta is submerged in the liquid. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed into a creamy sauce.
- Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and frozen peas. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring, until the cheese has fully melted and the peas are heated through.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Remove from heat and garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Use freshly shredded cheddar for the smoothest, creamiest sauce bagged shreds can make it grainy.
- If the sauce thickens too much as it sits, stir in a splash of warm broth, cream, or milk to loosen it.
- Season at the end after the cheese melts; the cheese and broth both contain salt.
- Shell size will affect cook time small shells cook faster; larger shells may need a couple extra minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, One-Pot, Pasta
- Method: Stovetop, One-Pot
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g (approx.)
- Sodium: 780 mg (approx.)
- Fat: 33 g (approx.)
- Saturated Fat: 16 g (approx.)
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g (approx.)
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g (approx.)
- Carbohydrates: 38 g (approx.)
- Fiber: 2 g (approx.)
- Protein: 27 g (approx.)
- Cholesterol: 125 mg (approx.)
Keywords: one pot creamy beef and shells, beef and shells, one pot pasta, easy weeknight dinner, creamy beef pasta