Instant Pot Creamy Beefy Shells
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The Instant Pot (pressure cooker) is such a great tool for summer cooking. It lets you make warm, comforting meals without heating up the whole kitchen the way oven baking or long stovetop cooking can. That is exactly why recipes like these Instant Pot Creamy Beefy Shells are so nice to have on hand. You still get a hearty, satisfying dinner, but you can keep the kitchen much cooler in the process.
This dish is pure comfort food made easy. Tender shell pasta and hearty ground beef are coated in a rich, creamy tomato sauce that feels cozy and filling without requiring much effort. The sauce starts with marinara and a little tomato paste for deep tomato flavor, then gets its creamy texture from Parmesan cheese, heavy cream, and cream cheese. All of that comes together into a cheesy, velvety sauce that clings perfectly to the pasta.
There is also plenty of seasoning to make sure the dish is full of flavor. Onion, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and garlic powder all help round out the sauce and give it that classic savory taste. If your family likes a little heat, you can easily add some crushed red pepper flakes for a spicy kick. It is an easy weeknight meal that tastes rich and comforting, but comes together with the convenience of the Instant Pot.
Ingredients for Instant Pot Creamy Beefy Shells
- OLIVE OIL – Used to sauté the onion and brown the beef. It helps build flavor right from the start and keeps everything from sticking to the pot.
- YELLOW OR SWEET ONION – The onion adds savory flavor and a little natural sweetness to the dish. As it cooks, it softens, helping create a flavorful base for the sauce.
- LEAN GROUND BEEF – Ground beef makes this pasta hearty and filling. It gives the dish that comforting “beefy” flavor that pairs so well with the creamy tomato sauce.
- ITALIAN SEASONINGS – Italian seasoning is a blend of herbs that adds classic Italian-style flavor to the dish. It is an easy way to season the beef and sauce all at once.
- SALT – Salt helps bring out the flavors of all the ingredients and properly seasons the dish. It is especially important for balancing the rich sauce and pasta.
- PEPPER – Pepper adds a little warmth and extra savory flavor. It helps round out the sauce’s flavor without overpowering it.
- GARLIC POWDER – Garlic powder adds an easy layer of garlic flavor that blends smoothly into the sauce. It helps make the dish even more flavorful.
- CRUSHED RED PEPPER FLAKES, OPTIONAL – These are optional, but they add a little heat if you want a spicier version. It is an easy way to give the pasta a bit of a kick.
- TOMATO PASTE – Tomato paste adds concentrated tomato flavor and helps deepen the richness of the sauce. A little goes a long way in building flavor.
- MEDIUM PASTA SHELLS – The pasta shells are perfect for catching the creamy sauce in all their little curves. They make the dish hearty and give it that classic creamy shells feel.
- PASTA OR MARINARA SAUCE – Pasta sauce forms the tomato base of the dish. It brings flavor, moisture, and richness to the sauce without requiring many extra ingredients.
- WATER – Water helps cook the pasta in the Instant Pot and combines with the sauce ingredients to create the right consistency.
- PARMESAN CHEESE – Freshly grated Parmesan adds salty, nutty flavor and helps make the sauce creamy. It gives the dish extra richness and a more finished flavor.
- HEAVY WHIPPING CREAM – Heavy cream adds the creamy, velvety texture to the sauce. It helps balance the tomato flavor and makes the dish feel extra comforting.
- CREAM CHEESE – Cream cheese adds even more creaminess along with a slight tang. It melts into the sauce, creating a smooth, rich finish.
Instructions for Instant Pot Creamy Beefy Shells
Add the olive oil to the Instant Pot insert and set it to the sauté setting. Once the oil is hot, add the diced onion and ground beef. Cook, breaking up the meat as it cooks, until the beef is no longer pink and the onion has softened. Drain off any excess grease, then turn the Instant Pot off.
Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, garlic powder, crushed red pepper flakes, if using, and the tomato paste. Mix everything together well so the beef is evenly coated with the seasonings.
Sprinkle the pasta shells over the beef mixture. Pour the pasta sauce and water over the top. Do not stir at this point. Instead, use the back of a spoon to gently press the pasta down into the liquid as much as possible.
Place the lid on the Instant Pot and make sure the valve is set to sealing. Pressure cook on high pressure for 5 minutes.
Once the cooking time is up, carefully do a quick release. Remove the lid and stir in the Parmesan cheese, heavy cream, and cream cheese until everything is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Serve warm. This recipe makes about 6 servings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Medium shells work especially well because they hold onto the creamy sauce, but other similar pasta shapes may also work. Just keep in mind that changing the pasta shape can affect the cooking time and the amount of liquid needed.
Do I really not stir after adding the pasta, sauce, and water?
Correct. After adding the shells, pasta sauce, and water, it is best not to stir. Pressing the pasta down gently into the liquid helps it cook properly and can help prevent burn warnings.
Can I use store-bought grated Parmesan?
Freshly grated Parmesan melts more smoothly and gives the best flavor, but pre-grated Parmesan can work in a pinch. Fresh is usually the better option for the creamiest sauce.
What does the cream cheese do in the recipe?
The cream cheese adds extra creaminess and a slight tang to the sauce. It helps make the final dish rich and velvety.
Can I use half-and-half instead of heavy cream?
Heavy cream yields the richest, creamiest result, but half-and-half may work if needed. The sauce may just be a little less rich.
How do I store leftovers?
Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Reheat gently and add a splash of water, broth, or cream if the sauce needs loosening.
Can I make this recipe without an Instant Pot?
This version is written for the Instant Pot, but the flavors would also work well on the stovetop with some adjustments. You would just need to cook the pasta separately or carefully manage the liquid and timing.
Why do I quick-release the pressure?
A quick release stops the pasta from overcooking. Since pasta cooks fast, this helps keep the shells from becoming too soft.
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Yes. Ground turkey can be used if you want a lighter option. The overall flavor will be a little different, but it should still be delicious.
Is this recipe spicy?
Not unless you add the crushed red pepper flakes. Without them, it is more creamy and savory than spicy.
What can I serve with creamy beefy shells?
This dish pairs well with garlic bread, breadsticks, a simple green salad, or roasted vegetables. Since it is already hearty, lighter sides work especially well.
Tips and Tricks
- Brown the beef and onion well first. That first step builds a lot of the flavor for the whole dish, so it is worth taking a few extra minutes.
- Do not stir after adding the pasta, sauce, and water. Instead, gently press the shells down into the liquid. This helps the pasta cook properly and can help prevent burn warnings in the Instant Pot.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan if possible. It melts more smoothly into the sauce and gives the best flavor.
- Soften the cream cheese before stirring it in. That helps it melt faster and makes the sauce smoother and creamier.
- Serve it right away for the creamiest texture. This pasta is especially good while it is hot and the sauce is still smooth and velvety.
FOR MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS, TRY:
- Instant Pot Pasta E Fagioli
- One Skillet Beef Tortellini Stroganoff
- Philly Cheesesteak Ravioli
- Skillet Chili Mac
Instant Pot Creamy Beefy Shells
Real Mom Kitchen
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion or sweet onion, diced
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- pepper to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional
- 1 Tbsp tomato paste
- 16 oz box medium pasta shells
- 24 oz jar pasta sauce
- 3 cups water
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 oz cream cheese cut into chunks and softened
Instructions
- Add olive oil to the inner pot of an Instant Pot. Turn on to “Saute” mode. Add onion and ground beef. Cook until no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease. Turn Instant Pot off.
- Add Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, garlic powder, crushed red pepper flakes and tomato paste to the beef mixture. Stir together.
- Add shell pasta on top of ground beef mixture. Pour pasta sauce and water on top of shells. Do not stir, but press shells down into liquid with the back of a spoon.
- Place lid on Instant Pot. Be sure valve set to “sealing”. Set to cook on HIGH for 5 minutes.
- Do a manual pressure release. Stir in Parmesan cheese, heavy cream, and cream cheese. Serves 6.
Nutrition
Recipe is adapted from Spicy Southern Kitchen.
