Creamy Shell Pasta Recipe (One-Pan) -

Name: Creamy Shell Pasta Recipe (One-Pan)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 4 tbsp olive oil; 2 tbsp minced garlic; 2 cups mini shells; 2 tbsp butter; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1 pinch salt; 2 cups chicken broth; 1 tbsp Parmesan cheese; 1 tbsp parsley flakes to garnish

JUMP TO RECIPE -

Keep dinner simple with our one-pan Shell Pasta Recipe! Cooked in under 20 minutes, it’s easy to make, with almost no clean up, and has all the flavors of a restaurant-quality pasta dish.

Nothing beats a big bowl of creamy, cheesy pasta after a busy day, especially when it all comes together in just one pan. These One-Pan Creamy Pasta Shells are rich, cozy, and full of flavor, but still incredibly easy to make on even the craziest weeknights. The pasta cooks right in the sauce, which means fewer dishes, less stress, and more time actually enjoying dinner with your family.

One-pan creamy pasta shells in two white bowls with a glass of wine in the background.

At our house, we love a pasta with a creamy tomato sauce and our one-pan Shell Pasta Recipe has all of those addicting flavors (that’s why we make it that we make probably once a week!). Even the pickiest of eaters will love this comforting noodle recipe. We promise you’ll spend 30 minutes max in the kitchen from prep to clean up thanks to this dish using only one pan.

Forget feeling like dinner is a chore, these creamy shells will help you enjoy your weeknights again. Be sure to also try our Beef and Shells as well as Marry Me Tortellini.

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

This recipe brings together simple ingredients, rich creamy flavor, and effortless one-pan cooking to create a weeknight dinner your whole family will crave.

20 minute pasta recipe. From start to finish, this creamy shells recipe is made quickly and efficiently. This makes dinnertime stress-free even on the busiest of nights.
Only one pan to clean up. Since the pasta boils in the same skillet as the tomato sauce, you’ll be cleaned up from dinner in about 5 minutes.
Family-friendly comfort food – Creamy, cheesy pasta shells are always a hit with kids and adults, making this a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Pantry-friendly – Most of the ingredients are basic staples you probably already have on hand, which makes this a great last-minute dinner idea.
Easy to customize. Add some protein, like rotisserie chicken, or stir in a veggie, like spinach or peas.

Leanna’s Tip: Don’t boil the shells separately. The beauty of this pasta recipe is that the shells cook in in the same skillet that you make the sauce in.

Ingredients

Find the exact Ingredient amounts in the recipe card below.

Olive oil: Cooking oil for the recipe.
Minced garlic: Adds a kiss of that classic flavor we all love.
Mini shells: The pasta shape we prefer to use in this one pan pasta recipe. You can also use another small shaped pasta like mini penne or mini rigatoni.
Butter: Adds a nice and creamy richness to the sauce.
Tomato paste: Gives that concentrated tomato flavor.
Heavy cream: Helps to create the creamy tomato sauce to coat the shells.
Chicken broth: Adds richness to the sauce before coating in the pasta.
Parmesan cheese: A required ingredient for any pasta recipe. The perfect finishing touch.
Salt – essential for seasoning the pasta and enhancing the creamy sauce so every bite is full of flavor.
Parsley flakes: For garnish, adds nice herb flavor to finish.

How to make this Shell Pasta Recipe

These simple, detailed steps show you how to toast the pasta, build a rich creamy sauce, and create the silkiest one-pan pasta shells every time.

1. Start by heating olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until it becomes fragrant and lightly golden. This step builds the savory foundation for your creamy pasta sauce.

2. Stir in uncooked mini pasta shells, coating them completely in the warm garlic oil. Continue stirring occasionally until the shells are lightly toasted. Toasting the pasta enhances its flavor and helps it hold its shape as it cooks, which is key for a perfect one-pan pasta dish

3. Add butter and let it melt into the toasted shells. The butter adds richness and helps the sauce cling beautifully to every pasta shell.

4. Pour in chicken broth and raise the heat to medium-high. Bring everything to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally. Continue simmering until most of the broth has been absorbed and the shells are almost tender. Cooking the pasta directly in broth infuses every bite with more flavor than boiling in water.

Shell pasta is cooking in a white skillet with broth and water.

5. Add the tomato paste and heavy cream, stirring until everything is fully combined. Keep the pan over medium heat until the cream thickens into a smooth, velvety sauce. This is what creates that signature creamy texture in your one-pan pasta shells.

adding cream and tomato paste to creamy beef and shells

6. Stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and salt. The cheese melts into the sauce and makes it extra creamy, while the parsley adds freshness. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

adding parmesan cheese and parsley to creamy shells

7. Enjoy your one-pan creamy pasta shells right away for the best texture. The sauce will be thick, silky, and perfectly clinging to every bite

Expert Tips

Try another noodle. Make sure the noodles are small, like mini penne or mini rigatoni.
Swap half and half for the heavy cream. If you want a slightly lighter sauce, half and half works great.
Add the butter and cream towards the ends of cooking. If you add them too soon, you could risk curdling your sauce (and we don’t want that!).
Try adding a protein. Shred some rotisserie chicken for ease, or cook some sweet Italian or chicken sausage to stir in.
Customize with some vegetables. We often like to stir in baby spinach or even roasted zucchini we have leftover from another dinner.

Delicious Variations

• Add protein – Stir in cooked shredded chicken, sliced Italian sausage, or crispy bacon to make this one-pan pasta extra hearty.
• Sneak in veggies – Fold in baby spinach, peas, chopped broccoli, or roasted vegetables during the last few minutes of cooking until just tender.
• Make it spicy – Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of hot sauce if your family likes a little kick.
• Use a different pasta shape – Rotini, penne, or macaroni also work well; just adjust the cooking time slightly until the pasta is tender.

Make-Ahead, Storage & Leftovers

Make-ahead

This recipe is best made fresh, but you can prep ingredients in advance by measuring out the pasta, shredding the cheese, and having everything ready to dump into the pan.
You can also cook the pasta slightly under al dente if you know you’ll reheat it later so it doesn’t get too soft

Storing leftovers:

Store leftover creamy pasta shells in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
The sauce will thicken as it cools, but that’s an easy fix when you reheat.

Reheating:

Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth, milk, or cream to loosen the sauce.
Stir occasionally as it warms to bring the sauce back to that silky, creamy texture.

Creamy pasta shells in a white bowl set on a checkered plate. A skillet of creamy pasta shells in the background.

FAQs

Can I Prep These Pasta Shells in Advance?

Since this is one of those recipes that only take 20 minutes from start to finish, I recommend making this right before you are ready to serve so it’s nice and warm!

What is the fancy name for shell pasta?

They are also called conchiglie in Italian.

What is the best type of sauce to serve with small shell pasta?

We recommend a creamy tomato sauce, basil pesto, or a meat ragu.

What if my sauce is too thick or too thin?

If your sauce becomes too thick, simply stir in a splash of chicken broth, cream, or milk until you reach the consistency you like. If it feels too thin, let the pasta simmer over low heat for another minute or two. The starch from the pasta and the melted cheese will help thicken the sauce as it cooks.

What to Serve with One-Pot Creamy Pasta Shells

Serve your creamy pasta shells with a simple green salad, Caesar salad, or roasted veggies for some freshness. Garlic bread or warm, crusty bread is also perfect for soaking up every last drop of sauce. If you’re entertaining, you can add a glass of white wine or sparkling water with lemon for an easy, elevated weeknight dinner that still feels special.

More Easy Pasta Recipes

Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta – This bright and velvety pasta is packed with fresh lemon, garlic, and parmesan, making it the perfect quick weeknight dinner that still feels restaurant-worthy.
Crockpot Million Dollar Pasta – This ultra-creamy slow cooker pasta melts together rich cheeses, tender noodles, and hearty beef for a comforting, hands-off meal everyone loves.
Dump-and-Bake Meatball Casserole – A no-boil, family-friendly pasta bake where tender noodles, juicy meatballs, and marinara cook together in one dish for the easiest dinner ever.
Boursin Pasta Recipe – This viral pasta combines soft, herby Boursin cheese with warm pasta and simple pantry staples to create a luxuriously creamy and flavorful meal in minutes.