Creamy Paprika Steak Shells is a rich pasta dish combining seared steak pieces with a smoky, creamy paprika sauce and shell pasta.
It’s comfort food with a restaurant-style flavor.
🍝 What it is
This dish typically uses Pasta shells tossed in a creamy sauce flavored with paprika and garlic, mixed with tender steak strips.
🥩 Ingredients
Main
- Steak (sirloin or ribeye works best)
- Pasta shells
- Olive oil or butter
Sauce
- Garlic (minced)
- Onion (optional)
- Paprika (smoked or sweet)
- Heavy cream or cooking cream
- Beef stock or pasta water
- Salt & black pepper
Optional
- Parmesan cheese
- Chili flakes
- Mushrooms or spinach
👨🍳 Cooking method
1. Cook pasta
- Boil shell pasta in salted water until al dente
- Save ½ cup pasta water
2. Cook steak
- Slice steak into strips
- Season with salt, pepper, paprika
- Sear in hot pan with oil until browned
- Remove and set aside
3. Make creamy paprika sauce
- In same pan, sauté garlic (and onion if using)
- Add paprika and stir briefly (don’t burn it)
- Pour in cream + a splash of stock
- Simmer until slightly thick
4. Combine
- Add cooked pasta shells
- Add steak back in
- Mix well, loosen with pasta water if needed
5. Finish
- Add parmesan or chili flakes
- Taste and adjust seasoning
🔥 Tips for best flavor
- Use smoked paprika for deeper taste
- Don’t overcook steak (keep it tender)
- Let sauce gently simmer—not boil hard
🧠 Why it works
- Paprika adds smoky warmth
- Cream balances richness
- Steak adds protein and umami
- Shell pasta holds sauce perfectly
If you want, I can make a spicy version, a one-pan 20-minute version, or a budget chicken substitute version of this recipe.
