One-Pan Creamy Cheesy Beef & Shells
One-Pan Creamy Cheesy Beef & Shells
Ingredients
For the Beef & Pasta
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 1 yellow onion, medium, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef, 80/20 lean
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 12 ounces medium shell pasta, uncooked
For Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
For Finishing
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Heat cooking oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the diced yellow onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 3 to 5 minutes, until softened and fragrant.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it apart with a wooden spoon and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and no pink remains. Drain any excess grease.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
Stir in the tomato paste, paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to toast the spices and deepen the flavor.
⏱️ 2 min
- 4
Pour in the beef broth and whole milk. Stir well to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Add the uncooked medium shell pasta to the simmering liquid. Stir to ensure the pasta is fully submerged and evenly coated. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
⏱️ 15 min
- 6
Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and fully incorporated, creating a creamy sauce.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley before serving.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
One-Pan Creamy Cheesy Beef & Shells
Ingredients
For the Beef & Pasta
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 1 yellow onion, medium, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef, 80/20 lean
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 12 ounces medium shell pasta, uncooked
For Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
For Finishing
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Heat cooking oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the diced yellow onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 3 to 5 minutes, until softened and fragrant.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it apart with a wooden spoon and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and no pink remains. Drain any excess grease.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
Stir in the tomato paste, paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to toast the spices and deepen the flavor.
⏱️ 2 min - 4
Pour in the beef broth and whole milk. Stir well to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Add the uncooked medium shell pasta to the simmering liquid. Stir to ensure the pasta is fully submerged and evenly coated. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
⏱️ 15 min - 6
Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and fully incorporated, creating a creamy sauce.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley before serving.
⏱️ 1 min