Instant Pot Creamy Shells and Beef is an easy pressure cooker dinner recipe made with ground beef and pasta in a tomato cream sauce. Perfect for busy days!
If you’re looking for an easy Instant Pot recipe made with ground beef and pasta, you’re going to love this delicious Instant Pot Creamy Shells and Beef. It’s like homemade Hamburger Helper, and it’s super kid friendly. Best of all, it’s a one pot dinner, so there’s hardly any clean-up!
Update! Shells and Beef is without a doubt, one of my most popular recipes. I first made it in 2017, and you all love it — check the comments for the rave reviews! So, I just added better pictures and tips to make this recipe even better as of June 2020!
Also, note that this is the original — a lot of people loved it so much that they created their own recipes. That’s great and all, but this one’s the real deal. Promise!
Have you bought an Instant Pot yet? I’ve been seeing so many Instant Pot recipes on Pinterest and just about everywhere lately, so of course I was curious. I finally gave in and bought one of these modern pressure cookers on Cyber Monday — I got a smokin’ deal! And friends, let me tell you, that I’m definitely in love!
If you’ve never made dinner or anything else in a pressure cooker, it can be tricky at first. There’s definitely a learning curve here! But once you get the hang of it, you’re going to love cooking with your Instant Pot!
I’ve been doing a lot of experimenting with different Instant Pot recipes, and I was able to convert some of my favorite one pot dinner recipes to pressure cooker dinner recipes. Yea — Go me!
This Creamy One Pot Shells and Beef is not only one of my family’s favorite ground beef recipes, but it’s also one of the most popular recipes on the blog. It’s basically just pasta, beef and marinara sauce, along with a little bit of cream. It’s super easy to make on the stove, but I had to change some things to make it work in the pressure cooker.
And in case you’re wondering — Yes, you can make pasta in the Instant Pot! You just have to make sure that you also add enough liquid to make it all work!
How to Make Ground Beef and Shells in the Pressure Cooker
You start off by sauteing an onion in the Instant Pot, and then, you add some lean ground beef. I buy lean or extra lean ground beef, so I don’t remove the grease. But, you can definitely remove the grease if you want to.
Next, add your seasonings. Then, you add your uncooked shell pasta, some marinara sauce and water.
You have to make sure that the pasta and everything else is completely covered with water and sauce. You don’t need to stir it all together, ( in fact, don’t stir it yet!) but you can push it all down with a spatula or spoon, just to make sure the liquid is covering the pasta.
Next, you use the pressure cooking function. Pasta cooks in the Instant Pot for about half the time it cooks on the stove. A good rule of thumb for cooking pasta in the Instant Pot is to cook for half the time recommended on the package.
I set the timer to 5 minutes, which gives you a softer texture, but you could do 4 minutes for firmer pasta or even 6 minutes for even softer pasta.
It takes about 10 minutes or so for the pot to come to pressure, and then, the Instant Pot starts cooking and counting down the minutes until the pasta is done
When 5 minutes are up, do a quick release by turning the valve to release. Be sure to wear an oven mitt or use a spoon to be on the safe side. Remove the lid, stir in the cream and Parm, and you’re done!
One of the best thing about cooking with an Instant Pot is that you don’t have to babysit a pot on the stove. Just let the pressure cooker do the work, and come back when the time is up!
It’s quick and easy to prepare, and dinner is made in just one pot for easy clean up! My family loves the texture of the pasta, too.
In fact, my kids couldn’t get enough of this creamy shells and beef! They literally ate it all up! If you like it, You might also want to try Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta and Instant Pot Creamy Sausage and Shells.
Tips for Cooking Pasta and Meat in the Instant Pot
- Make sure pasta and meat are completely covered by liquids
- Don’t stir the mixture before pressure cooking
- Cook pasta for about half the cook time on the box of pasta
- Add milk or cream at the end, right before serving
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Instant Pot Creamy Shells and Beef Recipe
Instant Pot Creamy Shells and Beef
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 1-pound box medium shell pasta
- 1 24-ounce jar marinara sauce
- 3 cups water
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Turn Instant Pot to saute setting, and wait for the display to turn to HOT
- Add olive oil and onions, and cook until slightly soft
- Add ground beef, break up with spatula, and cook until no longer pink, stirring frequently to make sure it doesn’t stick to pot
- Season with sea salt, pepper, Italian seasoning and garlic powder, and hit CANCEl
- Add shells over ground beef, then add the marinara sauce and water. Do not stir, but press lightly with spoon to ensure pasta is completely covered with sauce and water
- Place lid on Instant Pot, close, and make sure vent is set to SEALING position
- Hit PRESSURE COOK for 5 minutes, or half the cooking time on the box of pasta
- When pressure cooking is done, do a quick release, then remove lid and hit CANCEl to turn cooker off
- Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, and serve
Video
Notes
Nutrition
More Easy Instant Pot Ground Beef and Pasta Recipes
- Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meat Sauce
- Instant Pot Ground Beef Stroganoff
- Instant Pot Cheeseburger Mac
- Instant Pot Creamy Taco Pasta
More Favorite Pressure Cooker Recipes
- Mom’s Best Instant Pot Chili
- Instant Pot Salsa Verde Chicken
- Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs
- Instant Pot Jasmine Rice
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Rebecca says
I’ve made this recipe several times and the family loves it!! Just FYI – if you double the recipe, it does NOT fit in a 6 quart Instant Pot!! I tried!! 🤦🏻♀️
Dee says
I’m so glad to hear this, Rebecca. Thanks for sharing the tip, too!
Molly says
I made this last night for the second time and it was just as amazing as the first!! I wanted to mention that I made it in my Instant Pot Mini Duo (3qt) and didn’t change any of the measurements and it cooked perfectly. It doesn’t go past the top measurement line in the pot, so that’s probably why. Excellent recipe and one of my favorite leftovers! 🙂
Dee says
That’s wonderful, Molly! Thank you so much for sharing your tips and for the sweet comment!
Sandra D says
I’ve made this several times and it always delicious. This time I forgot to buy the cream so I used a couple of dollops of sour cream instead and it turned out really well and even added a nice bit of tanginess to the dish.Sa
Dee says
Thank you so much, Sandra! I’ll have to remember this! 🙂
Kori says
Delicious! Will definitely make again.
Dee says
Thank you so much, Kori! Super glad you enjoyed it!
Joni Watkins says
I’ve made this dish once a week for almost 2 yrs. Hands down one of the BEST IP recipes out there. Thank you so much!!!
Dee says
Thank you SO much for the wonderful review! I’m happy you like the recipe!
Susan Christiansen says
I have made this for my family at least a half a dozen times! It is easy to put together and has turned out amazing every time! Definitely a go to favorite! Thanks for this recipe!!!!
Dee says
I am soooo happy to hear this, Susan. Thank you!
Gary says
My daughter recommended your recipe to us when she bought me an Instant Pot for my birthday. My wife and I loved it and we especially like that the leftovers will give us another meal. The only thing I found was to get the right shell consistency we had to steam it on high for 9 minutes. I might try an extra 1/2 cup of water as you recommend next time to see if that changes anything.
Dee says
Happy Birthday! I’m glad you liked the recipe! It might also be the brand of pasta — I usually use Barilla, but some brands look a lot thicker, so that might be why yours needed some extra time. Thank you so much for writing in!
Kaitlyn Chapman says
Great recipe, turned out soo good! I made some changes as follows… I chopped my own fresh garlic instead of garlic powder and sauted into beef and onions when they were almost done cooking. I added 1 cup of water to deglaze pot, then added noodles(didnt have shells so used rotini), the rest of the water and 1 jar of pasta sauce(fire roasted tomato). Once it was done cooking I didnt have heavy cream so improvised and mixed 3/4c each 10% cream and whole milk I had on hand and 1/2c parm and 1/2c shredded mozzarella cheese. Delish!
Dee says
Sounds wonderful! Thank you so much!
Joanne says
I’m going to try this with bulk Italian sausage and fat free half n half since I dont have the heavy cream on hand.
Dee says
Sounds good! I make it sometimes with sausage, and we love it!
Kathy says
OMG this recipe was soooo delicious and so easy to make!! Am definitely making this again!
Dee says
Awesome, Kathy! I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
Michelle says
Great recipe! Super easy and so yummy! I also used grated Parmesan/Asiago grated cheese😚
Dee says
Awesome! Thank you so much, Michelle!
Olga says
Does this freeze well as I am cooking for 2?
Dee says
Yes! I have frozen and reheated it without any problems.
Court says
I don’t have an insta pot… how would you tweak this to cook on the stove top/in the oven?
Dee says
I happen to have a stove top version! Here’s the one pot shells and beef recipe! Note that this one uses less pasta, but you can do the larger Instant Pot recipe amounts and follow the same directions.
Johanne says
This is a good, and precise instant pot recipe that WORKS! Many of them out there that dont. The only thing i changed was cooking 4 minutes, rather than 5 , because i make ahead of time, and reheat in oven later.
Thanks.
Dee says
Thank you SO much, Johanne! IP Shells and Beef is one of our favorites, so I”m happy you liked it!
Tamra Yarwood says
Do you drain the hamburger grease?
Dee says
I usually get extra lean beef, so I don’t. But, you can do this after browning the meat.
Jaana says
I made this today and we loved it. Definitely a keeper!
Dee says
I’m SO happy to hear this, Jaana! Thank you!
Terri Stanton says
I made this for my family and we absolutely loved it! Best thing I made in the instapot so far.
Dee says
That’s wonderful, Terri! Thank you so much!
Terri Stanton says
I had to make it again. Kids are asking for it.
Dee says
Sounds like mine! Thanks, Terri — so glad it’s a hit with your family!
Jennifer says
Second time making this… this is so easy to do! Makes great leftovers and best of all the 3yr old ate it haha . I did alter it a little. I’m not a fan of Italian seasoning and the first time it was a lot so this time used half. Didn’t have any heavy cream so used 2% milk- which I’m sure my waste will appreciate haha and used tillamock cheddar instead of parm. All in all still great! Thanks 😊
Dee says
This is super easy to customize. So happy you enjoyed it!
Lisa Fornal says
This was wonderful. I changed the type of pasta and used grated parmesan cheese instead of shredded. It was rather soupy when done so I opted to let it thicken naturally before serving.
Dee says
Thanks, Lisa. So glad you liked the shells and beef! It does thicken up quickly as it cools.
Amber says
My family loves this simple yet tasty meal! I use bow tie pasta only because my daughters prefer the shape. 🙂 I serve with salad and garlic bread. Thank you for your recipes!
Dee says
Thank you for the sweet compliment! I’m so glad you all like the recipe!
Trista Silva says
Amazing!!!!
Shona says
Saw this recipe this week, and made it today, fast! Easy, and delicious! Thanks for this great recipe!
Dee says
Thanks, Shona! I’m so happy you liked it!
Chelsea says
Has anyone tried baking this recipe?
Dee says
I sometimes bake the leftovers into a cheesy casserole — so good!
Jenna says
I’m not sure my instant pot has just an “instant pot” setting, is there another setting I should be using?
Dee says
It should be either “manual” for older models or “pressure cook” for later ones. Are you using a different brand of pressure cooker?
Stephanie says
Have you ever made this recipe with the small sized shells? My husband bought those by mistake.
Dee says
I’ve always used the medium shells. Small should still work, though.
Suz says
Whoa baby this is good!! Definitely will be making again. Used pork breakfast sausage instead of ground beef and half and half instead of heavy cream to save some calories. Other than that followed the recipe. Thanks for a yummy dinner!!
Dee says
Awesome — Thank you so much! So glad you liked it!
Stephanie says
Made this recipe with gluten free macaroni noodles turned out perfect cooked at 5 minutes
Dee says
That’s good to know — thanks for sharing with us!
Elizabeth Bernstein says
I’m on WW so I used ground turkey breast instead of beef and milk instead of heavy cream and it still came out delicious! My picky eater had seconds.
Dee says
So glad it worked for you! Thanks so much, Elizabeth!
Sydney says
I’m a new convert to using an Instant Pot, and my busy family loves pasta and Italian food. Since discovering your site in my hunt for quick and easy dishes to make in my IP, I have made this wonderful recipe several times using half and half and ground turkey. The last time I made it, about three weeks ago, I used two jars of Trader Joe’s bruschetta sauce, which are 12 ounces each, instead of marinara sauce. Oh. My. Gosh. It tasted and smelled like a fabulous Italian restaurant!
Dee says
I’m so glad you like the recipe! Thanks so much for your kind words and for sharing you variations! 🙂
Jessica Linstroth says
My family favorite and so eas to make
Dee says
Thanks so much, Jessica! So glad you all like it!
Kristin says
Not that I will even have any left to freeze, but can this be frozen for future meals?
Dee says
Yes you can. I’ve done this before, and it was just as good heated up!
Margaret says
I’ve made this several times now because it’s soooo delish…My family loves it. I did however use 1lb ground round & 1lb ground pork also substituted the water with beef stock…This will always be a keeper…Ty for this recipe..YUM 🙂
Dee says
Thank you so much! I’m thrilled that you and your family enjoy it!
Jennifer says
I LOVE THIS RECIPE!!! The first time I made it as is and it was delicious. And then I plugged the numbers into the Weight Watchers app and was slightly taken aback at the points per serving. Darn carbs! I modified it by switching to ground chicken and I used a lighter fat cream. Still just as tasty and it knocked about half of the points off a serving. I make this time and time again. I just brought it out for the company pot luck and everyone was raving. Thank you for sharing!
Dee says
Thank YOU, Jennifer! So happy you enjoyed the recipe, and thanks for sharing your modifications! I’ll have to try the lighter version! 🙂
Greg says
This has become a family favorite.
Dee says
So glad to hear this, Greg. Thanks so much!
Mhenson says
I don’t have cream in hand but was thinking of using cream of cheddar soup. Any thoughts?
Dee says
You could add a little milk — you just want to thin out the sauce a little. Cream of cheddar would change the flavor, but you can try a little at the end.
Meg says
This is so yummy! My boys and husband love it so much, we have it about every two weeks!
Dee says
You’ve made my day, Meg! Thank you so much!
Monica says
My hubby & I love this dish! I’ve even made it to take to friends for meals and it was a hit at each place! So easy and yummy!!
Dee says
That’s wonderful — So glad you enjoy it! Thanks, Monica! 🙂
Cyndi says
Hi there, recipe looks great! Can this be made with frozen beef, or does it need to be thaw?
Thank you!
Dee says
It needs to be thawed, since you’re cooking the pasta at the same time.
Gary C says
The recipe is simple and straightforward. It was a breeze to make, and the family enjoyed it!
As for changes:
1. Instead of using granulated garlic, I added a clove of minced garlic once the onions were well softened.
2. To stick with the recipe, I also bought the Barilla medium shells. We all thought 5 minutes made the pasta too soft. Next time we’ll try 4 minutes, as someone else recommended.
It occurs to me that I might be able to dial back the heavy cream a bit, and change the parmesan cheese to a mixture of fresh ricotta, shredded fresh mozzarella, and grated parmesan cheese (similar to lasagna or baked ziti). Something to try for next time. 🙂
Dee says
So glad you liked it, Gary. Thanks so much for the review!
Stacey says
I used Gluten Free pasta and cooked it for 8 minutes (half the cook time suggested on the packaging). It was delicious! Thanks!
Dee says
Thanks so much for sharing, Stacey! I get a lot of questions about gluten free pasta. 🙂
Lauren says
Have you ever made with Banza (shells made from chickpeas)? Wondering if any adjustments are needed.
Dee says
I’ve always used regular wheat pasta. I thought someone had left a comment once about using a different type of pasta, but I can’t find it now.
Jane says
What size IP is this recipe made in? Any adjustments for an 8 quart pot?
Dee says
I’ve made it in both the 6 quart and 8 quart without changing anything.
Kim Byrd says
I use breakfast sausage ( Tennessee Pride) instead of ground beef. I also substitute some of the pasta sauce with diced tomatoes. For the Italian seasoning , I use the dry Italian salad dressing mix. I also use bowtie pasta. My family of 11 loves this easy and yummy meal ! Thank you!
Dee says
So glad everyone liked it! I have a recipe for sausage and shells on the blog too. 🙂
Maggee Mae says
I used a cheap spag sauce so I added a can of diced tomatoes with chilis. Also added red pepper flakes. A little too much heat for my parents. Forgot who I was feeding. Oops!
Easy recipe to make and its a keeper.
Dee says
Thanks, Maggee! I love that you spiced it up! 🙂
Heather says
You use uncooked pasta in IP correct? Making tonight!
Dee says
Yes — Use uncooked pasta in this recipe.
Meg says
Fantastic! Family loves it. Definitely making again soon!
Dee says
Awesome, Meg! I’m so glad you like it — thanks! 🙂
Lynne Trover says
do you have to use parmasen cheese?
can you use another cheese?
Dee says
You can use another cheese if you want. 🙂
Kristin says
This is a great recipe!! Can you double it? Thanks
Dee says
Thanks! As long as it fits in your pot, you can double it. The cook time remains the same. 🙂
ed ritchie says
very good
Alec says
I just made this and it is wonderfully simple and fast, thank you for sharing !!!
I’m wondering about adding mushrooms.
Dee says
Thanks — glad you liked it! Mushrooms would definitely add some extra flavor — sounds good! 🙂
Angela says
I made this on the stove and it was great. Then I got an extra Netanyahu pot and tried it out. I followed instructions to a T and my pressure button never popped up. Went thru the countdown and after quick release, the pasta was hot but still hard. I’ve cooked other recipes in my IP but this one didn’t work out. Any ideas?
Dee says
I’ve never heard of that brand of pressure cooker, so I’m not sure what went wrong. I know the Instant Pot won’t reach pressure if the seal is loose or missing, so maybe that happened?
Sierra says
I just got my instant pot and this is the first thing I tried cooking. It was easy to make and BEYOND amazing! We have tons of leftovers and my husband adored it too. I made one slight change to the recipe based on what I had in the fridge: I used half an onion and half a green bell pepper instead of a full onion. The bell pepper infused flavor made the chunky vegetable marinara sauce I used even more scrumptious. Highly recommend, I will be making this recipe regularly!
Dee says
Your version sounds delicious! Thanks so much, Sierra! 🙂
Lorinda says
I love a tasty, EASY recipie. This was a hit at our house! Thanks for posting.
Dee says
That’s wonderful, Lorinda! I’m glad you liked it!
Amy says
In my super picky household, this was a HUGE hit with my kiddos!!!! Even my 5 year old asked for a second helping!!!! Thank you so much for this recipe!!! ❤️
Dee says
My kids are picky too, so I completely understand! Thanks so much for writing in! 🙂
Heather Buchanan says
Super easy to follow for a newbie like me!
Dee says
That’s wonderful! Thanks so much, Heather!
Michelle Jenson says
Just made this tonight and it was delicious. We had bow tie pasta but that was the only change. I liked how it wasn’t too red-saucy but not too heavy creamed either. Just right. I’m excited that there will be so many leftovers too. Yum!!
Dee says
Thank you so much, Michelle! Glad you enjoyed the recipe!
AP says
Amazing! Delicious! That’s all!
Dee says
Awesome! Thank you so much! 🙂
Tee says
I just cut off the pot the kids can’t wait to dig in. Made some texas toast to go along with. It came out just as you said it would.
Thanks.
Dee says
Thanks so much! Texas toast sounds like a great side!
Jim says
This recipe is amazing but instead of beef use Italian Sausage. Much better than hamburger.
Dee says
Thanks, Jim. I have a similar recipe that does use Italian sausage —
Alec says
Ooh, brilliant suggestion!
Jon says
Thanks for the recipe. Looks delicious.
A question: are 3 cups of water as called for in the recipe too much? Seems like a lot for an instant pot recipe, especially with the other liquid ingredients in the recipe. Thank you.
Dee says
Definitely not too much water — 3 cups is perfect, since you have to cook the pasta. I make this all the time — made it tonight. : )
Jennifer says
This was delicious! Tastes exactly like the Italian shells hamburger helper without all the boxed preservatives! I added a little extra cheese-I love cheese tho haha and it’s a little on the soupy side for me but nothing some French bread won’t soak up 😋
Thanks so much
Dee says
Thanks so much, Jennifer! It’s one of our favorite dinner! 🙂
Lee Wetherton says
Very good and very easy. Just they way I like it. Used elbow macaroni. 5 min was perfect.
Dee says
So happy you liked this, Lee. Thanks!
Julie Feirtag says
2 of my boys (9 and 12) are crazy for Hamburger Helper. But I think it tastes strongly of preservatives and salt. I made this recipe tonight and they practically gnawed my arm off getting to it. I used only a tsp of Italian seasoning, about a cup of cream, and about a tsp of sugar to sweeten the marinara. It was good and easy. It’s been bookmarked.
Dee says
Thanks, Julie! I think this is so much better than the boxed Hamburger Helper. 🙂
Sarah says
Even my super picky husband liked it, he actually liked it so much he asked for leftovers to be put in his lunch for work! Win! Thanks so much for this great meal!
Dee says
Yay! So happy that your family liked it! 🙂
Jennifer says
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Absolutely amazing!! Huge hit with my family & so easy. I had to add an extra half cup of water to fully cover the noodles, but still turned out perfectly! First time I’ve made pasta in the IP that wasn’t on the mushy side! Very well written recipe!
Dee says
Thank you so much, Jennifer. I’m so glad your family enjoyed it!
Angela says
Delicious! 6 out of 7 gave it thumbs up, and most went back for seconds. On another note, I need to pay more attention to the number of servings listed. I’m so used to doubling automatically, and until I just read your intro I didn’t realize that you had five kids. Let’s just say that for once we have a LOT of leftovers!!!
Dee says
Thanks, Angela. So glad you liked it! I usually make the leftovers into a cheesy baked casserole at one point so it’s a little different. 🙂
D’Ann says
Was your cook time the same for a doubled recipe?
Beth says
Well, this was a game changer! I avoided boiling and draining noodles and it was delicious! Thanks for sharing this recipe and I wish I would’ve discovered it sooner!
Dee says
Thanks so much, Beth! Pasta in the Instant Pot is so easy. 🙂
Jennifer Pacheco says
Excellent! My family LOVES this recipe!
Dee says
So happy to hear this, Jennifer!
Gim says
I recently got an Instant Pot and tried this recipe. The only alteration I made was use a can of diced tomatoes and a can of chili ready diced tomatoes (instead of the marinara sauce) and use a little less Italian seasoning. It was wonderful! I had to go for a second helping. Thank you for sharing!
Dee says
Thank you so much! Your version sounds wonderful. 🙂
Janelle says
Picky picky family over here – it was a HIT! DEFINITELY a keeper. Thank you for such a great and easy recipe!!
Dee says
Thank YOU, Janelle! I’m so happy you liked it! 🙂
Holly says
I made this tonight and it was a big hit and is going in the recipe book. I used 1% milk instead of cream and I used half an onion but followed the rest of the recipe. My parents both loved it. My sister and I both thought it could use a little less Italian seasoning so next time (and there will be a next time) I’ll use less. Thanks for the great recipe!
Dee says
Thank you so much, Holly! You can definitely adjust the seasoning to suit your taste. Glad you liked it! 🙂
Brett says
My whole family loved this. I didn’t have any cream, but added some softened ream cheese and it came out delicious. Thanks!
Dee says
That sounds delicious, Brett! Thanks for letting me know. 🙂
Tami says
My son who is a very picky eater asks me to make this almost weekly. It’s cooking right now! I add a can of sliced olives and corn to it and it’s amazing!
Dee says
That’s awesome, Tami! Thank you so much! 🙂
Irene says
I made this tonight for my girls who would only eat certain food. They loved this! And me too! I added a little milk instead of heavy cream and it still turned out super delicious. Thank you so much for sharing the recipe!
Dee says
Thank you so much, Irene. So glad your family enjoyed it! 🙂
Katrina says
I used rotini because that’s what I had, and just used maybe 1/4 cup of cream, if that… And it was delicious!!! Thanks!
Dee says
I’m glad you liked it, Katrina! Thanks for letting me know. 🙂
Stacey says
Super yummy! Substituted half and half instead of heavy cream and it was delicious. Will be making this again!
Dee says
Awesome, Stacey! Thanks for letting me know! 🙂
Liz says
This was one of my first meals I ever made in the Instant Pot and it was SO delicious! My son is a picky eater and he devoured a huge bowl full. Making this for dinner tonight and I love how it makes so much because I love the leftovers 🙂
Dee says
I’m all about leftovers! Thanks so much, Liz. I’m glad your family likes it! 🙂
Micah says
I made this tonight using what I had in the pantry. All 8 children ate it without complaint, and most loved it. Even the little guy who “hates pasta.” I’ll have to double it next time to have leftovers. I’ve made a very similar recipe in a skillet but this was so much easier. No stirring involved! I look forward to checking out your other recipes. This was my first time here. Thanks!
Dee says
So glad everyone liked it, Michah! Thanks so much! It’s one of my kids’ favorite dinners. 🙂
Jen says
Made this tonight- and Yes! it does make a lot but I love to have leftovers. I used 1/2 & 1/2 and 2% milk and I used a mix of parmesan and Trader Joes Toscano dusted with cinnamon (don’t knock it til you tried it). It came out perfect and that cheese gave it an amazing unique taste. I am going to try it with sausage next time. Used Barilla traditional sauce and Barilla med. shells. Thanks for the recipe
Dee says
So glad you liked it, Jen! That cheese sounds amazing. I need to get some of that!
Whitney says
I just tried this recipe tonight. It was the first recipe I tried in my instant pot. I loved it. So good. I will definitely be making it again.
Dee says
So glad to hear this, Whitney. Thanks so much! 🙂
Kendra says
Both my kid and husband loved this! Very easy and delicious, definitely a keeper.
Dee says
Thanks, Kendra. I’m so glad your family liked it! 🙂
Leslie says
Can’t wait to make this! Question though. Is it 1.5 cups of cream or just a 1/2 cup? Thanks!
Dee says
It’s 1 and 1/2 cups of cream, but you can add a little less or even a tiny bit more if you want. 🙂
Pam says
This may be the first thing I try in my IP but was curious if not draining the grease make sure it greasy???
Dee says
I use lean or extra lean ground beef, and it’s not greasy at all. 🙂
MRS. K says
Made it lastnight. The kids loved it! Even my 3 yr old who eats nothing but peanut butter sandwiches. I substituted ricotta for the parmesan because that’s what I had on hand. Great success! Thank you for this easy and tasty recipe the whole family can enjoy.
Dee says
I am so glad everyone enjoyed it! I’ll have to try the ricotta next time. 🙂
Cristina says
Do you know if this freezes well I’m a single lady and love to cook in bulk!!! I’m sorry it’s probably too late to get a reply!!
Dee says
Nope — not too late! I haven’t tried freezing it, but when we do have it for leftovers, it reheats well, especially when you bake it as a casserole! 🙂 Freezing should be fine.
Randi Lutz says
Will jumbo shells work or rotini pasta? We are on the road and that is all I have in motorhome. Just got my instant pot and this is only second time using it.
Dee says
I don’t know if jumbo shells would fit, but rotini should work! 🙂
Debi says
I dont own an instant pot….can this be made the old fashioned way….on a stove? 🙂
Dee says
I do have a stove top version of the same thing. Hope this helps!
Maureen says
This recipe was absolutely delicious! My whole family enjoyed it. Even my picky eaters. I used Ragu original spaghetti sauce and I had to use grated Parmesan because that was what my husband accidentally bought. Even still it came out so so good! This is a keeper! Thank you so much for this recipe 🙂
Dee says
Wonderful news, Maureen! Thank you for sharing that with me! 🙂
Lauren says
made this last night! I didn’t have any cream, so I added some cream cheese instead. oh my.. so sinful and amazing!
Dee says
I need to try that next time. It sounds wonderful! 🙂
Tasha says
For some reason mine is still super liquid-y I followed the directions. What did I do wrong?
Dee says
Hmm. It usually thickens up right away, especially when you add the cheese, but it sounds like there was maybe too much liquid. I’d love to help, but I can’t say for sure without knowing all of the details.
Lisanne says
Just made this for lunch. It was so quick and easy! And very tasty! Thank you for sharing!
Dee says
Thank you so much, Lisanne. I’m glad you liked it! 🙂
Ann says
This was sooooo good! My daughter and I ran to the store and made it all within an hour and it was so delicious!! A real keeper!!!
Dee says
That’s wonderful, Ann. I’m so glad that you liked it! 🙂
June says
Easy, yummy, and a hit among the whole family! If you are looking to cut back a bit, I only used 1/2 c. Parmesan and 1 c. cream and it was creamy enough! It was also a little al dente for us so I just popped the lid back on and let it sit for a few more minutes before I added the cream and cheese. I will be making this again for sure!
Dee says
Hi June — I am so glad that your family liked it, and you know, I sometimes vary the amount of cream or cheese too. Thanks for taking the time to tell me! 🙂
Kelly M says
I made this and my husband loved it! I can’t do dairy, so I substituted a can of full fat coconut milk for the cream and nutritional yeast for the Parmesan. It turned out great. Thanks!
Dee says
What a great idea, Kelly! Thanks so much for letting me know. 🙂
Linda H says
I can’t wait to try this recipe, but could I use ground turkey as we don’t eat beef at home? Would I need to make any modifications? Thank you so much! P.S. It will be my FIRST Instant Pot dish :)!
Dee says
Ground turkey would work, and everything else should stay the same. Let me know how it goes! 🙂
Linda H says
Thank you so much, Dee! I made it last night with ground turkey, and we LOVED it! We’ll be eating leftovers tonight :). Thank you, again!
Dee says
Awesome, Linda! I’ll have to try it with ground turkey next time. 🙂
Hillary B says
Could you use frozen meatballs in place of the ground beef?
Dee says
I know a lot of people make frozen meatballs and pasta, so it would probably work — just not sure how long you would cook it.
Sabrina says
Made this tonight in my instant pot. It was quick easy and tasted good. My husband and son enjoyed it and we have enough for leftovers. Thank you
Dee says
You made my day, Sabrina. Thank you so much for letting me know! 🙂
Tori Delgado says
Can you help me figure out how to use the crock pot instead for this recipe? I am thinking you would brown the meat first on stove top. Add ingredients and cook but not sure how long it would take for pasta to cook, 2-3 hours? THanks so much! The kids at my preschool I think will love this recipe
Dee says
I’ve never tried it in the Crock-Pot, but I would definitely brown the meat first on the stove, and then add the pasta, sauce and water. I’d add the cream and cheese at the end.
Marc says
What if I want to make double batch. In 6 qt? Time change? Ingredients? Etc?
Dee says
You should be able to double the ingredients as long as it all fits in the pot. The cook time would remain the same. 🙂
Camie says
Has anyone tried to double this in a 6 qt with success?
Hannah Birney says
Hi, Dee! I am excited to try this tomorrow night! I am placing a Walmart Grocery order now, and I’m not finding shredded Parm, but I am finding a shredded Italian Blend… Do you think that would be just as good?
Thank you!
Hannah Birney
Dee says
Hi Hannah! Italian blend would be fine and probably even cheesier! 🙂
Hannah says
Yay! Thank you for the feedback! I’m excited!
Diane says
I used my Instant stant pot tonight for the first time using this recipe. It was so good. Thanks for posting it. I have the small instant pot so I just cut the recipe in half. Perfect for my daughter and me.
Dee says
Awesome! Thanks for taking the time to let me know. 🙂
Jennifer says
Thank you for this recipe. This was the first thing I made in my Instant Pot. It was delicious and super easy. My husband love it and went back for seconds.
Dee says
That’s wonderful, Jennifer. So happy you liked it!
Kathy says
Great recipe, can’t wait to try it! Do you know what adjustments can be made to cut the recipe in half? These instant pot recipes make so much food. Thanks!
Dee says
Hi Kathy — They do make a lot of food! You could definitely try halving the recipe. I love having leftovers, so I usually pack the leftover pasta into a casserole dish and bake it for a different version later in the week.
GFischer says
If I wanted to make this with chicken, how would I cook the chicken in the insta pot?
Dee says
Just cut it up and cook it on saute setting. The rest of the recipe would be the same. I have a similar recipe for chicken enchilada pasta here, if you want to check it out Instant Pot Chicken Enchilada Pasta
Brenda says
How noticeable is the marina sauce in the taste? My kids hate all things tomato and I wonder since this is cheesy and creamy, if they will notice the marinara.
Dee says
A couple of my kids are the same way, and that’s why I added the cream and the cheese — really takes away the strong tomato flavor. You can even add a little more cream if you need to. 🙂
Becky says
I am out of shells, can I use penne pasta instead?
Dee says
Penne should be fine in this recipe. Just make sure the liquid covers the pasta. 🙂
Becky says
Awesome thanks.. Trying it tonight so I will let you know 🙂
Becky says
It turned out great. For some reason my Instapot wouldn’t count down once the pressure came up but I was watching the clock and just stopped it. I think I added just a little too much water but it was still delicious. 😀 Thanks for sharing the recipe with us!
Dee says
I’m glad it worked out. Thanks for letting me know! 🙂
Tera says
This was so yummy! Both my boys and husband said it’s a keeper, thanks for the recipe!
Dee says
So glad you liked it, Tera! 🙂
Lois says
Hi Dee,
Made your creamy shell instant pot.turned out wonderful.i also used half and half milk .and used 4 min pressure and quick release turned out super good.will be lots of left overs as there’s only two of us. My IP is 6 qt and I love it. haven’t cooked with any other pot since Christmas. I have.nt done warm up as I just made it last night I guess I will try warm up in microwave.????
Dee says
Thanks so much, Lois! I either warm the leftovers up in the microwave or make a casserole and bake it. 🙂
Bill Loughman says
Dee, We tried the creamy pasta this evening and it was a hit. Thanks
Dee says
So glad you enjoyed it, Bill. Thanks for letting me know! 🙂
Melissa says
So you cook the pasta first?
Dee says
You cook the meat first, then you add the uncooked pasta and liquids.
Patrick says
Very easy to make and super yummy!
Denise says
I do not have parmesan cheese, what other cheese can I include
Dee says
You can use almost any shredded cheese for a creamier texture, but you can also try it without the cheese, and it should still be fine — just not as cheesy.
Kristi V says
Made this for dinner tonight and it was a huge hit! Five kids ranging in ages from 7-12 plus my husband and I all loved it. Even my picky youngest, who wouldn’t admit he liked it (“I kind of like it but it also kind of has a funny taste” – high praise from him!) ate a whole plateful. Would definitely make again!
(I used ground elk because we have a freezer full of it and honestly I think it was indistinguishable from beef.)
Dee says
That’s awesome! I have a super picky eater too, so I know exactly what you mean! 🙂
Chris says
Great instant pot recipe, turned out great, thank you!
Dee says
Glad you liked it, Chris! Thanks for letting me know. 🙂
Jen says
Would you recommend adjusting the cooking time at all if doubling or even making one and a half of the recipe? I want to make this on Sunday for a bigger crowd.
Dee says
The cook time shouldn’t change, but you just have to make sure everything will fit in the pot. 🙂
ria says
what size pot do you have? did everything fit! thinking abt doubling 🙂
Dee says
I have an 8-quart pot, so everything fit fine. 🙂
Debra says
Would small shell pasta be okay to use? This recipe sounds delicious!
Dee says
I haven’t tried it with smaller shells, but I think it would be fine. Let me know! 🙂
Michelle says
Just made this tonight….the family loved it!!! Who doesn’t love a successful new dinner recipe….so easy yet so delicious! Thanks for sharing : )
Dee says
Thanks so much, Michelle. I’m so glad you liked it! It’s one of our favorite Instant Pot dinners. 🙂
Lisa C says
Just made this last night. Huge hit! I did make a few modifications based on what I had on hand. Instead of ground beef and onions, I used italian sausage (removed from casings) and casarecce pasta (rolled tube) instead of shells. 5 min manual high pressure was perfect after sauteing sausage. I only used about 2/3 cup of heavy cream. For our tastes it was enough. Thanks for a great recipe!
Dee says
Thanks, Lisa! So glad you liked it. I’ll have to try this with sausage next time. 🙂
Angel says
Would this recipe work in a stove top pressure cooker?
Dee says
I’m not sure about the cook times with a stove top pressure cooker, but it should work. You can also try my one-pot shells and beef. 🙂
Shelley says
I’ve been using a regular pressure cooker for years. Can this be done with a regular pressure cooker on the stove ?
Dee says
Hi Shelley. It should work with any pressure cooker, although I’m not sure about the cook times. I also have a regular one-pot version you can try.
James says
Love the cheesy goodness! And simple too!
Dee says
Thanks! It’s one of our favorite Instant Pot dinners! 🙂
Annie says
Yummy and easy to make!
Dee says
It’s super easy and one of our favorites. Thanks, Annie! 🙂
Julie says
This was such an amazing meal!
Dee says
Thanks so much, Julie! I’m thrilled that you enjoyed it! 🙂
Erin says
I made this and it turned out perfect. Delicious!!!
Dee says
Awesome, Erin! I’m so glad that you liked it. 🙂
Tammy says
How long did you Cook your ground beef and was it on sauté setting? Thanks so much! It looks delicious!
Dee says
Hi Tammy — thanks! Yes, It was on the saute setting, and it was about 5 minutes — just until it’s no longer pink. 🙂
Jesse says
Can you make this on the stove top or crock pot? If so please help with the adjustment for that I wanna make it tonight and don’t have a pressure cooker
Dee says
Hi Jesse, I have a one pot stove top version right here! Creamy One Pot Shells and Beef
Sandy says
I made this tonight and it was a hit. My 16 year old son had 2 big helpings! I used half and half because that’s what I had and it turned out perfect. We’ll be making this one again! Thank you!
Dee says
Hi Sandy — I’m so glad your family liked it! Thank you for taking the time to comment and let me know. 🙂
Betty Tyler says
That’s what I did, too. Just couldn’t go with that much cream! (I would have loved it, but the rest of the house would have said, “No, thanks!”)
Thanks for the recipe. Not stirring seemed to be key. I’ve had trouble with “burn” notice on a pork chops and gravy recipe, but this was smooth as could be. Hooray!
Cara says
I do not have heavy cream, is it a necessary ingredient? Also, I am using whole wheat pasta, should I change anything? Looking forward to making this tonight for my family!
Dee says
The cream just lightens up the tomato sauce and gives the dish a creamier texture, but it isn’t necessary. The last time I made it, I used a lot less cream, and it was fine. You could even use a little milk if you want. I haven’t tried using whole wheat pasta, but I believe you still cook the pasta for half the time recommended on the box, so 4 or 5 minutes, tops. 🙂
Cara says
Thanks, I’ll let you know how it goes!
Andrea says
My pressure cooker has a pressure setting of either high or low. Do you have a recommendation?
Dee says
Hi Andrea! Mine is set to high, so that’s what I use.
Moira says
Can you use frozen meat?
Dee says
I always defrost the meat and saute it first — just a personal preference. You could use frozen, but I haven’t tried it yet, so I’m sure about the cook time on that.
Carrie says
Do you drain the beef after cooking it?
Dee says
I use lean or extra lean beef, so there’s no need to drain it.
Kelly says
Just got my InstantPot for Christmas and this was our first meal- it was so good! Will definitely be following for the recipes to try!!
Dee says
That’s awesome, Kelly — Thanks for letting me know! I’ve got more Instant Pot recipes coming up! 🙂
Dana R says
Making it tonight and I can’t wait! I’m going to add a can of diced tomatoes into it. Yum! Thanks for the recipe, Dee.
Dee says
I love that idea! Hope you enjoy the dish as much as we do. 🙂
Melissa says
I made this last night as my second Instant Pot meal. It was delicious! We all loved it.
Dee says
Thanks for letting me know — I’m glad you all liked it!
Krista says
Oh my! This looks so tasty! Great dinner option!
Sabrina says
What a great family friendly meal!
Jen says
I have an IP and have only used it a few times but this looks good enough to break it back out and try again. Looks delicious!
Amanda says
I think my kiddos would LOVE this!!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
This looks so awesome!!
Katerina @ diethood .com says
My family would love this!! Sounds SO delicious!!!
Kristen M Chidsey says
Dee, this looks so good! And I agree, once you get that learning curve down, pressure cooking is such a great thing!
Dee says
Thanks, Kristen. It’s awesome. We made pressure cooked ribs last night that literally fell off the bone!