Table of Contents
- Key Takeaways
- Why This Easy Dinner Recipe Works
- The Secret to Creamy Beef and Shells
- Family Dinners Just Got Easier
- Comfort Food at Its Best
- One-Pot Meals for Busy Weeknights
- Make It Your Own
Key Takeaways
This creamy beef and shells recipe is a fast, flavorful, and satisfying dinner option. Made in one pot with simple ingredients like ground beef, pasta, and cheddar, it’s perfect for busy families craving easy recipes that taste like a warm hug on a plate. From prep to table in under 40 minutes, this comfort food favorite delivers big flavor with minimal effort.

Why This Easy Dinner Recipe Works
When you’re looking for easy recipes that still deliver on flavor, this creamy beef and shells dish from Betty Cooks is exactly what your weeknight needs. Created by Betty, this one-pot wonder checks all the boxes: affordable ingredients, comforting texture, and kid-approved taste. And let’s be honest—we all need more dinner recipes that don’t require a sink full of dishes!

The Secret to Creamy Beef and Shells
What sets this apart from your usual pasta dish? It’s the luscious blend of tomato sauce, heavy cream, and melted cheddar cheese. Together, they create a rich, creamy sauce that clings to every shell. If you love recipes for dinner that are both filling and crave-worthy, this one’s going straight to your weekly rotation.

Family Dinners Just Got Easier
There’s something incredibly comforting about dishes that bring everyone to the table without stress. This recipe is all about that. Whether you’re juggling homework, activities, or just a long day at work, knowing you can whip up a comforting bowl of creamy beef and shells in a flash makes all the difference. It’s one of those easy recipes ninja creami fans will also appreciate for its simplicity and richness.

Comfort Food at Its Best
If you’re in need of comfort food with serious flavor, this dish delivers. It’s savory, cheesy, and endlessly customizable. Throw in some spinach, swap the beef for turkey, or even top with extra cheesey potatoes for a twist. Whether it’s your first time making it or your fifth, the result is always a bowl of goodness.
One-Pot Meals for Busy Weeknights
One-pot meals are the heroes of weeknight cooking, and this creamy beef and shells is no exception. It minimizes cleanup and maximizes satisfaction—ideal for butter swim biscuits easy recipes enthusiasts looking for something hearty and practical. Easy recipes like this one are lifesavers when time is tight but your tastebuds are still demanding something amazing.
Make It Your Own
The best part about this recipe? You can make it truly yours. Switch up the pasta, add spice, or double the cheese. However you tweak it, you’ll find it lands squarely in the category of dinner recipes you’ll make again and again. Want more ideas like this? Browse the full collection of easy recipes on Betty Cooks and discover your next family favorite.


Creamy Beef and Shells – Easy Recipes for Dinner
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth
- 8 ounces medium pasta shells
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning.
- Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in garlic and tomato paste; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in tomato sauce and beef broth. Bring to a boil.
- Stir in pasta shells. Reduce heat and simmer until pasta is cooked through, about 10-12 minutes.
- Stir in heavy cream and cheese until melted and creamy.
- Garnish with parsley and serve warm.
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