Creamy One-Pot Shells and Beef is an easy pasta dish that is cooked in a tomato cream sauce and is ready in just 30 minutes. It’s easy to make, easy to clean and kid approved!
Yes, it’s me again with another easy 30 minute one-pot dinner for ya. I seem to be on roll with these lately, but the end of the school year is always super busy, and these quick and easy meals are pretty much necessary for our survival.
And today, I was out all day chaperoning a gaggle of giggling girls– my own included — on a school field trip. Actually, as field trips go, it wasn’t bad at all — I’ve seen a lot worse. But by the end of the day, my energy level was practically down to zero, and cooking dinner was the last thing on my mind. I even forgot that I had asked the Hubs to pick up some fresh ground beef on his way home.
That’s what’s so great about one dish meals. You don’t need to put a lot of time or effort into dinner, but everyone is fed and happy, and you feel like Super Mom, even when you’re exhausted.
My family loves pasta, but I wanted to try something a little bit different this time, so I made a creamy tomato sauce instead of the usual red sauce. Basically, I cooked the beef and pasta, added some tomato sauce and, then I added a little cream at the end. Easy peasy.
I used medium shells this time, but you could use mini penne, bow ties or pretty much whatever you have on hand.
You could make this even easier by using dried onions or garlic powder — it’s up to you. If I’m really in a rush, I’ll do this, but I usually enjoy the chopping process. It actually relaxes me. Or sometimes, I’ll just ask the Hubs or one of my older kids to help!
What really saves time is having chopped onions waiting in the freezer. If I cut a whole onion, I’ll try to freeze half for later, and eventually, I’ll have a nice stash of onions when I need them!
How to Make Creamy One-Pot Shells and Beef
- 1 1/2 pounds fresh extra lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup yellow or white onion chopped
- 2 tablespoons garlic chopped
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 cups tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups medium shells uncooked (about 1/2 of a 1 pound box)
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning mix
- 1 cup heavy cream or half and half
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese optional
- In a large pot or skillet, saute the onions in olive oil until soft
- Add ground beef, and cook until brown
- Add the garlic, salt and pepper
- Stir in the tomato sauce, pasta and water
- Cover and cook on high for about 10 minutes or until pasta is al dente (mostly cooked)
- Add the Italian seasoning, reduce heat to medium low, and stir in the cream
- Cook on low heat until sauce begins to thicken
- Add the Parmesan cheese, and serve
I’m happy to report that the whole family loved this creamy one-pot shells and beef. I served a simple salad on the side, which was just enough to make dinner complete.
And after dinner was over, I went and put my feet up for the rest of the evening!
I love one-pot meals! This looks so comforting!
Thanks! I think comfort food is appropriate all year round. 🙂
One pot meals are my fave and this reminds me of Hamburger Helper which is one of my favorite guilty pleasures 🙂
I grew up on Hamburger Helper, so I try to make the same thing without the extra stuff added. 🙂
One-pot meals are the best! Easy to make and easy cleanup!
Definitely! These meals are really my sanity-savers some days. 🙂
Love a good one-pot meal! This one looks like major comfort food. 🙂
Even though it’s not baked or covered in cheese, I think it still is comfort food! 🙂
Sounds like a perfect winter meal!
Love those large shells – creamy and dreamy comfort food!
Thanks, Melanie. The shells are perfect for holding in the sauce!
This looks so good! I think I will try this maybe with a beef substitute as we love beef but are tying to cut back. Great Pictures also.
Thanks so much, Susan. I would say whatever works best!
I absolutely loved this post! Sunday is the day to innovate at lunch (since I don’t have any time for it during the week). Why not try this simple, fast and delicious recipe? Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much, Louise. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do! 🙂
This one pot dish looks fabulous! Love all that creamy goodness!
Thanks so much! We just had it again the other day. 🙂
We would totally be in love with this for dinner. I love easy 30 minute meals like this. I need dinner ideas like this to make after working at the office all day!
Thanks, Angie. I honestly don’t know what I would do without one-pot meals!
Wow, this sounds amazing! I don’t have shells at home, but I do have elbow macaroni and I’m definitely going to try this soon!
Thanks, Chelc! Macaroni would work well too. 🙂
Congratulations!
Your recipe is in the TOP TEN features for this week on Full Plate Thursday. Enjoy your new Red Plate and your weekend!
Miz Helen
Our family really liked this one!!–meryl
Thanks for letting me know, Meryl I’m happy to hear that!
This is awesome!! I added mushrooms and it is delicious
I’m so glad you liked it — thanks! I love the idea of mushrooms, too. 🙂
Just wanted to take a moment to let you know that I made this last night, and we really enjoyed it! Much better than a meal out of a box! I used penne pasta since I didn’t have any shells. The half & half gave it that extra special creamy taste that everyone loves. Thanks for the recipe; I know it will be on my table again!
Thanks so much, Tonia. I’m glad you liked it! I made it the other day with penne since that’s what I had, too! 🙂
Is the Italian seasoning mix the salad dressing one or dried herb seasoning? Sounds delicious!!
Hi, Cheree. It’s just a mix of dried herbs that you can buy from any grocery store.
I don’t see anywhere that you talk about draining the grease from the beef. Doesn’t this make it oily?
Hi Sue. I use extra lean beef for one pot meals just so that I don’t have to drain the fat. If you use beef with a higher fat content, I would definitely drain the excess fat.
I made this tonight and it was a winner! I was a bit skeptical of adding the water and cooking the pasta with everything else, but it worked perfectly. Even my picky eater liked it…it’s going in the regular rotation.
That’s wonderful, Annette! I’m happy to hear that your family liked it!
The picture shows some green in the dish. Is that fresh basil or spinach?
It’s actually chopped parsley, which is totally optional, but it adds a little color. 🙂