This Creamy Cheesy Beef Pasta is a cozy, satisfying one-pan meal made with tender pasta shells, juicy seasoned beef, and a rich cheddar cream sauce. It’s quick, hearty, and perfect for weeknights — ready in under 40 minutes and loved by both kids and adults.
Ingredients
Pasta & Beef
- 8 oz medium pasta shells
- 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Creamy Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the pasta
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta shells until al dente.
- Drain and set aside.
- Sauté the aromatics
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the chopped onion and garlic, cooking until the onion becomes soft and translucent.
- Brown the beef
- Add the ground beef to the skillet.
- Cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces.
- Season with paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Make the creamy sauce
- Pour in the beef broth and heavy cream.
- Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 8–10 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
- Combine everything
- Add the cooked pasta shells to the skillet.
- Stir well until all pasta is coated in the creamy sauce.
- Add the cheese
- Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar until fully melted and creamy.
- Serve
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and enjoy warm.
Quick Info
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 4
