Creamy Paprika Steak Shells
Creamy Paprika Steak Shells is the kind of comforting dinner that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen—but it comes together surprisingly easily. Tender pieces of seasoned steak are tossed with shell pasta in a rich, creamy paprika sauce that clings perfectly to every bite.
🥩 Ingredients
- 12 oz (340 g) shell pasta
- 1 lb (450 g) steak, cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ tbsp paprika
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup beef broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
🍝 How to Make It
1. Cook the pasta
Boil the shell pasta in salted water until al dente. Before draining, reserve about ½ cup of the pasta water.
2. Season and sear the steak
Pat the steak pieces dry and season generously with salt, pepper, paprika, and onion powder. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the steak in a single layer and sear until nicely browned. Remove it from the skillet and set aside.
3. Build the creamy sauce
Lower the heat and add butter to the same skillet. Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds. Add the paprika and Italian seasoning, stirring briefly so the spices become fragrant.
Pour in the beef broth and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the heavy cream and bring everything to a gentle simmer.
4. Add Parmesan
Stir in the Parmesan until melted and smooth. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little reserved pasta water until you reach a silky consistency.
5. Bring everything together
Add the cooked shells and seared steak back to the skillet. Toss gently until the pasta is completely coated in the creamy paprika sauce and the steak is warmed through.
6. Garnish and serve
Finish with freshly chopped parsley and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan.
❤️ Why You’ll Love It
The shell-shaped pasta catches little pockets of that creamy paprika sauce, while the browned steak adds a rich, savory bite. The paprika gives the sauce a beautiful color and gentle smoky warmth without overpowering the dish.
Tip: Don’t overcrowd the pan when searing the steak. Cooking it in batches if necessary helps you get those delicious browned edges.
Meta Description
Creamy Paprika Steak Shells combines tender seared steak, shell pasta, Parmesan, garlic, and a rich paprika cream sauce for an easy, comforting weeknight dinner.