Name: Creamy Beef and Shells Skillet Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds ground chuck; 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 1 medium onion, diced; 5 cloves garlic, sliced; 1/2 teaspoon crushed hot red pepper flakes; 1 28-ounce can plum tomatoes, hand crushed or blender pulsed; 4 cups low sodium beef stock; 1 pound medium shells; 1 cup heavy cream; 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano; 1/4 cup basil leaves, hand torn; salt and pepper to taste

There's something deeply comforting about a rich, cozy skillet meal that comes together in one pot. This Creamy Beef and Shells Skillet Recipe hits that perfect spot with tender ground beef, cheesy shells, and a luscious tomato-cream sauce that feels like a warm hug on a plate.

The dish is a deep pan filled with many small shell-shaped pasta pieces covered in thick orange-red meat sauce, giving a rich, creamy texture over the noodles. The pasta shells are mixed evenly with bits of ground meat in the sauce, creating a consistent and hearty look. On top of the pasta, there are four fresh green basil leaves placed in a loose cluster, adding a bright green color contrast. A wooden spoon with some sauce and pasta on it is resting near the bottom left of the pan. The pan sits on a white marbled surface with a folded blue cloth partially visible at the top left corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Beef and Shells Skillet Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamy Beef and Shells Skillet Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Creamy Beef and Shells Skillet Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it’s fuss-free yet feels indulgent—a real weeknight winner. It’s all cooked in one pot, meaning less cleanup and more time to enjoy your meal. Plus, that creamy tomato sauce just can’t be beat!

One-pot convenience: Everything cooks together, saving you time and effort in the kitchen.
Balanced flavors: The combination of savory beef and creamy sauce with a hint of heat from pepper flakes makes every bite satisfying.
Perfect texture: Medium shell pasta holds the sauce beautifully, creating a cozy, hearty dish.
Easy to customize: You can tweak the spice level, add veggies, or swap out cheese to make it your own.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Creamy Beef and Shells Skillet Recipe features simple, familiar ingredients that come together with ease. Each one plays a star role in creating rich, comforting flavor and the perfect creamy texture—here’s why they’re key.

Flat lay of fresh ground chuck formed into a neat mound, a medium diced onion with translucent white and purple layers visible, five peeled garlic cloves sliced thinly, a small white ceramic bowl of bright red crushed plum tomatoes, a few dried medium pasta shells arranged loosely, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden extra virgin olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl of rich heavy cream, a small white ceramic bowl with finely grated pale Pecorino Romano cheese, a small bunch of fresh bright green torn basil leaves, a small white ceramic bowl with coarse salt crystals, a small white ceramic bowl with cracked black peppercorns, and a small white ceramic bowl with crushed red pepper flakes, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Ground chuck: I love using ground chuck here for its perfect balance of flavor and fat that keeps the beef juicy and tender.
Extra virgin olive oil: Adds a fruity richness and helps brown the meat beautifully.
Onion: Caramelizes gently in the skillet, lending sweetness and depth.
Garlic: Brings that irresistible aromatic boost that pairs perfectly with beef.
Crushed hot red pepper flakes: Just a pinch ups the flavor with a gentle kick—adjust to taste!
Plum tomatoes: Using a whole canned tomato lets you control the sauce texture—hand crushing or blending gives a fresh homemade feel.
Low sodium beef stock: Brilliant for building savory depth without overpowering saltiness.
Medium shells: Their shape makes them ideal for catching sauce, so every bite is extra flavorful.
Heavy cream: This creates that silky, indulgent sauce that brings everything together.
Grated Pecorino Romano: Sharp and salty, this cheese finishes the dish with wonderful umami and richness.
Basil leaves: Fresh basil adds brightness and a fragrant finish just before serving.
Salt and pepper: Season generously throughout to balance and enhance every flavor.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

This recipe is a blank canvas that’s so easy to tweak. I often add mushrooms or bell peppers for an extra veggie boost, but it’s just as delicious as originally written. Don’t hesitate to adjust spice level or cheese types to suit your kitchen style.

Variation: Once I swapped the beef for Italian sausage, which added a lovely herbal note. It was a big hit with my family and took less than 10 minutes extra prep.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Beef and Shells Skillet Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a black bowl filled with pasta shells covered completely in a thick, creamy orange sauce mixed with small pieces of ground meat. The pasta shells are layered evenly and the sauce looks smooth and rich, coating each shell well. A fork is placed inside the bowl on the right side, its metal color contrasting with the food. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with some green parsley leaves scattered around, adding a touch of fresh color. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Brown the Beef Perfectly

Start by heating your pan over medium-high heat and adding olive oil along with the ground chuck. I find letting the beef brown nicely without stirring too often helps create those tasty caramelized bits. Cook for about 7 minutes until it’s almost fully done, seasoning with salt and pepper as you go.

Step 2: Build Flavor with Onions and Garlic

Turn the heat down slightly and push the beef to the edges of the pan. Add the onions in the center and sauté for 4-5 minutes until soft and fragrant. Then add sliced garlic and let it cook gently until golden, about 2 more minutes. I like to stir often here to avoid any garlic burning—it turns bitter quick!

Step 3: Add Heat and Tomato Goodness

Sprinkle in the crushed red pepper flakes and stir for 30 seconds to release their flavor. Then pour in the canned plum tomatoes and beef stock. Bring the mixture to a boil before lowering to a simmer. Taste and season with salt and pepper to get your sauce balanced before adding pasta.

Step 4: Cook the Shells to Al Dente

Add the shells directly to the simmering sauce and stir often to prevent sticking. This step takes patience—keep the heat moderate and stir frequently so the pasta cooks evenly and absorbs that rich sauce. It’ll take around 10-12 minutes to reach perfect al dente texture.

Step 5: Finish with Cream, Cheese, and Basil

About three minutes before the pasta finishes, pour in the heavy cream and stir to evenly coat everything. Once the pasta is just right, remove from heat and mix in the grated Pecorino Romano. Give it a final taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Toss in freshly torn basil leaves for that bright herbaceous pop. If your skillet looks dry at this point, add a splash of warm beef stock to loosen it up.

Top Tip

From my many attempts at this Creamy Beef and Shells Skillet Recipe, I found these tweaks really elevate the dish and keep your cooking stress-free.

Don’t over-stir the beef: Let it brown well before breaking it up - those brown bits add amazing flavor to your sauce.
Control your heat: When adding garlic and spices, keep the heat moderate to avoid burning which can turn flavors bitter.
Stir frequently when cooking pasta: This prevents sticking and ensures even cooking right in the sauce.
Add cream late: Waiting until the pasta is almost done keeps the sauce silky and prevents curdling.

How to Serve Creamy Beef and Shells Skillet Recipe

Creamy Beef and Shells - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always finish this dish with an extra sprinkle of grated Pecorino Romano right before serving—it adds a lovely salty punch. A few torn fresh basil leaves brighten the whole thing up and make it feel fresh. For a bit of crunch, sometimes I add toasted pine nuts on top, which gives a fun contrast.

Side Dishes

Since this skillet recipe is hearty, I keep sides simple. A crisp green salad with vinaigrette or roasted vegetables like asparagus or broccoli pairs beautifully. Sometimes we serve crusty garlic bread to soak up any extra sauce—never a bad choice!

Creative Ways to Present

For family dinners or casual gatherings, I sometimes serve this dish family-style right from the skillet on the table—it’s cozy and inviting. For a little dinner party, plating individual portions with a garnish of basil and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil makes it feel elevated yet approachable.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Because the pasta absorbs sauce over time, it thickens quite a bit, so I recommend adding a splash of warm broth or cream when reheating to bring back that creamy consistency you loved fresh.

Freezing

While I usually prefer making this fresh, I have frozen it on occasion. To freeze, cool completely and portion into freezer-safe containers. It reheats well in a saucepan over low heat with a little added liquid to loosen the sauce. The texture changes slightly but flavor stays great.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stove over low-medium heat. Stir frequently and add small amounts of beef stock or cream as needed to maintain that silky texture. I avoid microwaving because it can dry out the pasta unevenly.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different pasta shape for the Creamy Beef and Shells Skillet Recipe?

Absolutely! Medium shells work beautifully because they catch the sauce well, but penne, rigatoni, or even elbow macaroni would be great alternatives. Just adjust cooking time as needed based on pasta type.

Is there a vegetarian version of this recipe?

You can easily make a vegetarian version by swapping ground beef for plant-based crumbles or sautéed mushrooms and using vegetable broth instead of beef stock. The creamy tomato sauce remains delicious and hearty.

How spicy is the Creamy Beef and Shells Skillet Recipe?

This recipe has just a subtle heat from the crushed red pepper flakes, which you can adjust or omit depending on your preference. It’s meant to gently warm the palate without overpowering the other flavors.

Can I prepare this recipe in advance?

You can brown the beef and prepare the sauce base ahead of time, then add pasta and cream when ready to serve. That way, you reduce last-minute cooking and enjoy fresh pasta with creamy sauce every time.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Beef and Shells Skillet Recipe is one of those meals I reach for again and again when I want something comforting, easy, and full of flavor. It’s reliably delicious and so forgiving in the kitchen, making it perfect whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just treating yourself. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—it’s truly a go-to in my recipe arsenal!