Instant Pot Creamy Shells and Beef

4.68 from 74 votes

Instant Pot Creamy Shells and Beef is pure comfort food. This easy Instant Pot dinner recipe is so creamy and cheesy. Pasta shells and ground beef are cooked in a tomato sauce and then Parmesan cheese, cream, and cream cheese get mixed in.

Prep Time10

Cook Time15

Total Time25

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: ground beef, pasta

Servings:

Equipment

Instant Pot

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium yellow or sweet onion diced
1 pound lean ground beef
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 (16-ounce) box medium pasta shells uncooked
1 (24-ounce) jar pasta sauce
3 cups water
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup heavy cream
2 ounces cream cheese cut into chunks and softened

Instructions

Add olive oil to the inner pot of an Instant Pot. Turn on "Saute" mode. Add onion and cook until starting to get soft.
Add ground beef and cook and crumble it with a wooden spoon until no longer pink. Turn Instant Pot off.
Add Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, garlic powder, crushed red pepper flakes and tomato paste and stir.
Pour shells 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 and make sure valve is in "sealing" position. Set to Pressure Cook on HIGH for 5 minutes.
Do a manual pressure release and when the pin drops, remove the lid. Stir in Parmesan cheese, heavy cream, and cream cheese. Serve.

Video

Notes

Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 days.

Nutritional info is provided as a guide only and will vary based on brands of products used. Not to be used for specific dietary needs.

Nutrition