Description
Instant Pot Beef and Shells is the ultimate one-pot comfort food—creamy, cheesy, and full of rich, savory flavor. Made with ground beef, shell pasta, crushed tomatoes, and cheddar cheese, this dish comes together in under 35 minutes using your pressure cooker. Perfect for busy weeknights and guaranteed to be a family favorite!
Ingredients
1½ pounds lean ground beef
1 small yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
3½ cups reduced-sodium beef broth, divided
16 ounces uncooked shell pasta
⅓ cup heavy cream
2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese, divided
Instructions
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Sauté the Beef: Press Sauté on the Instant Pot. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat and return beef to the pot.
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Sauté Veggies & Seasoning: Add diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper. Cook for 30 seconds. Press Cancel.
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Deglaze: Pour in ½ cup of the beef broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
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Add Pasta & Sauce: Add uncooked shell pasta, crushed tomatoes, and the remaining 3 cups of broth. Gently press the pasta down into the liquid without stirring.
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Pressure Cook: Lock the lid, set valve to Sealing, and cook on High Pressure for 4 minutes.
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Quick Release: Once the cook time ends, carefully turn the valve to Venting for a quick release. Open lid once pressure has fully released.
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Finish with Cream & Cheese: Stir in heavy cream and 1 cup of cheddar cheese. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top, then let it sit for a few minutes to melt.
Notes
For a leaner option, swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken.
To make it spicier, increase crushed red pepper or add a dash of hot sauce.
Add spinach, peas, or chopped bell peppers in the final step for extra veggies.
Swap cheddar for mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or Colby Jack for a flavor twist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Category: Dinner, One-Pot Meal
- Method: Pressure Cooking (Instant Pot)
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: Approximately 430 kcal per serving (depending on ingredients)
