One Pot Creamy Beef and Shells (Printable)

Tender beef and pasta shells in rich, creamy tomato sauce—all in one pot for effortless cleanup.

# What You Need:

→ Meat

01 - 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend)

→ Vegetables and Aromatics

02 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Pasta

04 - 8 ounces medium pasta shells, uncooked

→ Liquids

05 - 2 cups beef broth
06 - 1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
07 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
08 - 1/2 cup whole milk

→ Cheese and Seasonings

09 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
10 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
11 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
12 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
15 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional

→ Garnish

16 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, optional

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a large deep skillet or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add the chopped onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add the pasta shells, beef broth, crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine, ensuring the pasta is submerged in the liquid.
04 - Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 12 to 14 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed.
05 - Stir in the heavy cream and milk. Simmer uncovered for 2 to 3 minutes to thicken the sauce slightly.
06 - Add the cheddar and Parmesan cheeses, stirring until melted and the sauce is creamy. Adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - Remove from heat. Garnish with chopped parsley and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired. Serve hot.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything happens in one pot, which means you're actually relaxing by 7 PM instead of scrubbing pans.
  • The creamy tomato sauce coats the pasta in a way that feels indulgent but comes together in under 40 minutes.
  • Ground beef stretches further when mixed with pasta, so your wallet stays happy without sacrificing richness.
02 -
  • Don't skip draining the beef unless you truly enjoy a greasy sauce that separates—I ignored this once and regretted it for three bites.
  • The pasta continues cooking even after you add the cream, so pulling it off heat a minute early is better than ending up with mushy shells.
  • Cheese melts best at lower temperatures, so resist the urge to crank the heat when adding the final dairy—it'll seize and become grainy.
03 -
  • Shred your own cheese from a block instead of using pre-shredded—it melts smoother and tastes noticeably better with zero extra effort.
  • Keep that pot covered while simmering so you're not constantly topping up liquid and adding 5 minutes to cooking time.
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