Vegan Creamy "Beef" and Shells (2024)

August 23, 2020 by Lauren Hartmann 70 Comments

*This post may contain affiliate links in the recipe card*

If you were anything like me when I was a kid, you probably were super down with hamburger helper. My parents tried to cook healthy, so we rarely had it. However, I thought it was the best thing ever and was always super stoked to eat it. This vegan creamy beef and shells is an ode to the most comforting food ever. Of course this is much fancier, and way healthier. It is one of the easiest recipes ever, and everyone seriously loves it!

I used Beyond Beef for this recipe, but there are all kinds of options for the “beef” part of the recipe. You should be able to find something that will work well at your local grocery store.

Brands I recommend:

Beyond Beef
Impossible Burger
Gardein Beefless Grounds
Morning Star Veggie Grillers Crumbles

With very few simple ingredients and very little time, you can have the ultimate comfort food on the table. This is also a great recipe to sneak some veggies into. Also believe me when I say, no one will know this is vegan! It is also important for me to say, that you absolutely can not taste the coconut cream. It makes this recipe so creamy and the perfect consistency and texture. With all the other flavors, the coconut cream just makes it nice and rich.

I like to top my vegan creamy beef and shells with some vegan cheddar style cheese and my favorite it the one from Violife. It melts nicely, and has no strange after taste. This is optional, but I really like the added cheesiness to the dish. Everyone in my house is currently obsessed with this dish. I must admit it is so homey, comforting and delicious, it really cheers me up. It makes me feel so warm and happy! Love creamy pasta recipes? Try my Vegan One Pot Creamy Garlic Brussels Sprouts Pasta!

Vegan Creamy "Beef" and Shells

Print Recipe

Super easy vegan ground beef mixed with pasta shells and a creamy tomato based sauce.

Course Main Course

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings 4

Calories 593

Author Lauren Hartmann

Ingredients

8 Ounces Pasta shells, medium or large
2 teaspoons Olive oil
1 Package(16oz.) Beyond beef ground
2 Tablespoons Vegan butter, I used Earth Balance
1/2 a Sweet onion, diced
4 Cloves Garlic, finely chopped
2 Tablespoons All purpose flour
1 Cup Vegetable broth
1 Can(15oz.) Canned tomato sauce (tomato puree not ketchup)
1/2 Cup Coconut cream or full fat coconut milk
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1/3 Cup Vegan cheddar shreds, I used Violife(optional)
Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

Cook the pasta shells according to package directions, until al dente. Drain when done.
While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet on medium high. Add the vegan beef, break apart into crumbles with a large spoon or spatula. Brown, reducing heat as needed until the vegan beef is completely brown. It may take 5-7 minutes. Remove the vegan beef from the skillet when done and put in a bowl. Set aside.
In the same large skillet, heat the vegan butter on medium high and then add the onion and garlic. Saute, reducing heat as needed until the onion is translucent. About 3-4 minutes.
Then add the flour into the skillet and stir to combine, make sure the butter and flour are fully combined. Simmer for a minute.
Now add the veggie broth, tomato sauce and coconut cream. Whisk to combine everything and make sure there are no lumps of flour in the sauce.
Add the Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk to combine. Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until it has thickened slightly.
Then add the pasta shells and vegan beef. Toss everything together. Turn heat to low.
Sprinkle in the vegan cheese if using, and stir. Let melt for a minute. Then taste and adjust seasoning.
Serve immediately.

Nutrition

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Reader Interactions

Comments

Rosey
August 23, 2020 at 10:05 pm

This recipe is so simple yet so hearty, delicious and comforting! I used cooked green lentils in place of the beyond meat, added nutritional yeast instead of cheese at the end, and threw in some veggies. Like all your recipes — I can’t freakin get enough and am pumped to eat this all week for lunch!
Reply
- Natalie Henry
  September 11, 2020 at 10:46 pm
  I didn’t even think of using Nootch! That’s a great idea. I’ll do that next time.
  Reply
  - Ana Mercedes
    January 2, 2021 at 9:05 pm
    
    I was just about order out when I came across this recipe. I had some leftover beyond beef crumbles and all of the ingredients. This was quick and way better than ordering out! Thank you I’m so happy!!
    Reply
- Ilona
  September 12, 2020 at 1:03 am
  Ahhhh I was wondering if lentils would work in place of “meat”. Thank you for sharing!
  Reply
- Sara
  October 19, 2020 at 6:38 pm
  How much (many?) lentils did you use? Did you still cook 1 pound?
  Reply
  - Cassie
    November 10, 2020 at 1:55 am
    i also made this with cooked lentils and i used 1.5 cups. it seemed like a good ratio.
    Reply
- MARY BANKS
  October 30, 2021 at 11:43 am
  You are so creative and I would do the same thing! I enjoyed the recipe as is but it is so versatile. My non vegan partner enjoyed it!
  Reply
Erika
August 23, 2020 at 11:44 pm
Looks yummy! How coconutty 🥥 🏝 🍝 does this taste?
Reply
- Lauren Hartmann
  August 30, 2020 at 1:44 pm
  Not at all!
  Reply
Susan de Winton Blissett
August 23, 2020 at 11:52 pm

Oh my goodness! This was so very, very tasty. We loved it! Followed the recipe exactly. Thank you for adding another recipe that we will add to our regular selection. So many of the recipes are yours!!
Reply
Christina alvarez
August 26, 2020 at 1:58 am
See Also
Vegan Meat Substitute Recipes - Megan Kerry Authentic Vegan Swedish Meatballs Eggplant Crunchburger [Vegan, Gluten-Free]Vegan Tempeh Egg Roll Bowls - Making Thyme for Health

Another great recipe thank you! This was loved by vegans and non vegans. It’sa keeper. Great job’
Reply
Nk
August 26, 2020 at 12:02 pm

That looks amazing. I never use coconut milk or cream but I’m going to have to!!
Reply
Amanda Villar
August 26, 2020 at 4:46 pm

We just made the Creamy “beefy” Shells” last night and it was AMAZING! Thank you so much, Lauren, for making vegan cooking so accessible. My husband and I look forward to cooking your recipes so much because it’s much harder to find good vegan food where we are, and traveling isn’t really a good option for us right now. We are cooking one of your recipes at least a couple times (some weeks more) a week. We are grateful you are sharing your recipes with us. Your cookbook is now a kitchen staple in our household. Thank you so much for all you’re doing to make this world a kinder and more delicious place.
Reply
Michelle Lee
August 26, 2020 at 9:39 pm
We tried this last night and it was SO good. The coconut milk gives everything a rich, creamy flavour and the tomato sauce was just saucy enough. We added frozen corn to the mix and next time will add some broccoli. My partner had it for lunch today and it is almost even better as leftovers. Thank you for the recipe!
Reply
Courtney R
September 5, 2020 at 12:23 am

The ONLY thing my family wasn’t a fan of is the slight coconut flavor. Next time I will use another milk but other than that it was FAN-tastic! Really delicious. < 3
Reply
Jenna
September 5, 2020 at 2:01 pm
Do you think soaked cashews could be subbed for the coconut milk?
Reply
- Lauren Hartmann
  September 13, 2020 at 1:46 pm
  Yes, I think that would work!
  Reply
Georgette
September 7, 2020 at 1:31 pm
So keen to try this! Can you recommend something to sub for the coconut milk? My husband can’t bear anything with even the slightest hint of coconut…
Reply
- Lauren Hartmann
  September 13, 2020 at 1:45 pm
  You could try a cashew cream sauce, or just use any non-dairy milk you like. It may not be as creamy with another type of milk, but it should still thicken well!
  Reply
  - Cole!
    April 13, 2022 at 6:57 pm
    
    This is AMAZING. My non-vegan kids absolutely loved it. I ended up adding Nooch like another person recommended and it was so delicious and hearty. 10/10!!! I would totally make this again!
    Reply
- halley
  September 21, 2020 at 3:00 pm
  My husband is the same, however, he had no idea there was coconut in it. Cannot taste it at all.
  Reply
Lauren Fowler
September 8, 2020 at 12:20 am

Just finished eating this and it was beyond delicious – like eat until you hurt good. It was so saucy and creamy and I’m for sure going to be making this regularly. I personally do think the coconut milk does add a bit of coconut flavor (but maybe that’s because I used coconut milk and not coconut cream?), but I’ve never met a food that didn’t taste better with some fatty coconut milk so it didn’t bother me at all. I have really loved all of your recipes that I’ve tried and am anxiously awaiting your cookbook that I ordered. Thanks for another great recipe!
Reply
Ali
September 8, 2020 at 3:31 pm

My package of Beyond Beef was 10oz. I also used 16oz. Penne. Turned out great. I loved it and am eating cold left overs. Unfortunately, my 7&16yr. olds did not care for it. I don’t know what’s wrong with them!
Reply
Kristin L
September 11, 2020 at 12:58 am
Just made this for dinner tonight and it was delish! The only thing I did differently was I swapped rotini for the shells as I didn’t have shells at home. The sauce was super creamy and it made enough for us to have leftovers for dinner again tomorrow night. Definitely adding this to the recipe rotation! 🙂
Reply
Kendi Proctor
September 19, 2020 at 8:54 pm
Do you think this recipe could be doubled?? Love love love your recipes my dear!!! 🖤🖤🖤
Reply
- Julie Grace
  October 15, 2020 at 4:54 pm
  Yes you can double. Thank you!
  Reply
Candace
September 20, 2020 at 10:31 pm

We had this for dinner tonight and it was delicious! Will definitely make it again!
Reply
Jai T
September 20, 2020 at 11:36 pm

I made this dish today for the first time and OMG it is delicious! Many of your recipes have become staples in my rotation and I just purchased your book. Thanks for these awesome recipes and I’ll stop typing now so I can go get a second round.
Reply
halley
September 21, 2020 at 2:59 pm

Another fantastic recipe! This was so easy and the result was amazing…. even better the next day! Thank you!
Reply
TheBookofood
September 25, 2020 at 10:00 pm
I added wine, it was a huge huge success. Thank you. 🙂
Reply
Jessica Zayas-Rivera
See Also
Cheesy Lentil Bolognese Casserole + Celebrating 9 years!! – Oh She Glows
October 2, 2020 at 4:17 pm
Incredible! I honestly thought it was going to taste a little bit like coconut but the tomato sauce was perfect combo with all the garlic – it really tasted like an upgraded version of hamburger helper…and I was here for it.
Reply
Lillian M.
October 3, 2020 at 11:19 pm

When my husband and I first started dating, the first thing he made me was hamburger helper 🙂
We have been Vegan for seven months, and when I saw this recipe I KNEW I had to make it for him!! We just enjoyed a delicious dinner and it brought back memories of when we first started dating, yet he said this is much more delicious!! He hasn’t stopped talking about it and has added it to our meal rotation list. Thank you!!
Reply
Beth Baker
October 18, 2020 at 4:25 pm
This was wonderful! I have made it several times now. We cut the coconut cream to 1-2 tbsp, I put the cheese on each serving to we have control of the amount of fat (plus hubby is not vegan and wants real cheese). Thanks for sharing your recipe
Reply
jodi burmeister
October 18, 2020 at 11:19 pm

This is so good and it works really well with frozen meatballs if you don’t have ground beef (all vegan, of course). I really like hemp hearts sprinkled on top, but I kinda like hemp hearts on everything.
Reply
Julie
October 22, 2020 at 10:34 pm

The noodles were delicious and so creamy we will def be making this again, however the beyond meat was just to overpowering with its specific flavor. I may try Lightlife next time. But 5 stars for this recipe for sure! Thanks Lauren!
Reply
Kelly
November 2, 2020 at 12:43 am

Really homey and delicious! My whole family really enjoyed it.
Reply
Lisa Thomas
November 2, 2020 at 2:24 am

Made this tonight, only changing that I added smoked paprika and nooch. Omg this was amazing. I normally shy away from recipes with coconut cream,my husband hates it so much. But neither of us could taste it even a wee bit. He even said, you better write this one down. It’s a keeper. I used Impossible Burger for the grounds. Thank you for such a tasty recipe!!!
Reply
Ashley
November 3, 2020 at 9:11 pm

I just made this recipe, finished a few minutes ago and my only complaints about it were on my end. I did not have enough onion or “meat” and I panicked and used too much coconut cream (my “meat” was burning”) so it came out a bit sweet. This recipe is FANTASTIC and with the appropriate tweaks on my end, it would be perfect. It’s the ultimate comfort food and I love it already!
Reply
Julie Phan
November 3, 2020 at 10:54 pm

Thank you so much for this! I made it as described, and with that Banza pasta that’s made from chickpeas/garbanzo beans. SUPER delicious, might be my favorite vegan meal I’ve ever made! I’m gonna tell everyone about it!! Seriously cannot thank you enough for making it easy to be vegan.
Reply
Callie Harling
November 10, 2020 at 4:22 am

Loved this recipe! True comfort food. Definitely will add it to the go-to week night dinner list!
Reply
Wero
November 15, 2020 at 5:19 pm

This might be my new favourite comfort food! I used nutritional yeast instead of cheese and added some peas and it was amazing. Creamy, rich, filling and delicious. Super easy to make too! I will try using lentils next time, but I honestly loved the slightly fast-foodiness of the dish.
Reply
Jenna
November 19, 2020 at 11:34 pm
Thanks for the awesome recipe I didn’t have tomato sauce so I subbed a few tbsp of tomato paste and some extra broth. I also subbed fusilli for the shells. So good, this reminds me of being a little kid. My dad loved hamburger helper lol. Thanks!
Reply
Esther Sternberg
November 20, 2020 at 10:18 pm

Just finished making it. Followed it to the letter. Turned out to be the tastiest vegan “bolognese” I ever made! Thank you for this great recipe. Will surely make it again 🙂
Reply
DMoney
November 22, 2020 at 2:01 pm

Great comfort food. Extremely rich. My kids and husband loved it. I didn’t add the grated cheese bc it was already quite salty. (I think if I had used low sodium broth it would have been okay, but I used a bit dollop of roasted garlic better than buillion which pushed the salt content over the top!).
Reply
Ariane Arnaldo
December 5, 2020 at 3:22 am

I’ve made this recipe twice in the past two weeks so that’s a testament that it’s definitely a keeper and has become a household stable. I did make a few minor adjustments: I cut the coconut milk to 3 ounces, only added half of the beyond meat, and threw in some broccoli for extra vegetable intake. Also to cut the oil I sautéed the beyond beef in water instead of olive oil. Still tasted as good as the original recipe.
Reply
Megan
January 18, 2021 at 11:27 am

At first I thought the coconut milk taste was a little overwhelming, but that faded into OMG this is great! I used fire-roasted diced tomatoes since I was out of sauce and did a mix of fake burger and fake sausage crumbles.Next time I’ll add some veggies to my “sauce” like grated carrots,celery etc…
Reply
Linnea
January 31, 2021 at 8:46 pm

Wow! This is a good one! Followed the recipe exactly, using impossible and tossed in my fav vegan cheddar. It’s creamy, cheesy, flavorful and so satisfying! I’m really looking forward to the leftovers!
Reply
Jody Parker-Matt
February 21, 2021 at 7:26 pm

My husband made this tonight and it was spectacular. My only question is how did you come up with the calories, three pounds of beyond meat burger and 8 Oz of pasta alone is close to 2000 calories. All the other ingredients have to be much more than 300 calories roughly. I only ask because I try to log all my calories to help me lose weight. So can you help me out with that? And I could be way off but it’s my understanding that 2 Oz of pasta is 200 calories, so a cup would be 800, no? I’m coming up with over 700 calories per serving. I do hope I’m wrong because it is so, so good.
Reply
- Jody Parker-Matt
  February 21, 2021 at 7:28 pm
  I meant one pound on beyond burger, not 3, sorry about the typo.
  Reply
April
April 5, 2021 at 2:40 pm

I made mine with orzo and put a sprinkle of red pepper flakes in it. Perfect!
Reply
Felicia
April 18, 2021 at 2:08 pm

Made this the other night and my partner got up to have thirds he LOVED it, so did our daughter. Will definitely be making this again, and it was so easy and quick to do!
Reply
Sarah
July 18, 2021 at 8:17 pm

My god this is so good!!!
Reply
Melissa Chompooming
July 19, 2021 at 7:41 pm

Loved it! Added red pepper flakes and a splash of balsamic vinegar. Will definitely make it again! Thank you!
Reply
Nancy Baker
July 24, 2021 at 8:58 pm

I made this a few days ago and loved it! Then today, I figured I’d better use the rest of the coconut cream, so made it again! I added celery this time because I think it makes comfort food even more comfortable.
Reply
Candice
September 5, 2021 at 2:43 pm

Love this recipe. So easy and so delicious! It tastes so rich and creamy and I was surprised not to taste the coconut milk at all. My omnivore husband loves it and has asked me to make it again a few days later lol!
Reply
Laura
October 26, 2021 at 7:46 pm

I really love how your recipes contain protein and keeps my family full and satisfied.
We all really liked this one. And I liked how easy it was to make!
Reply
Tara Flannery
November 1, 2021 at 9:30 pm

So simple, yet so delicious. Hard to believe how easy it is to make and how good it tastes! I will defn make this again. Thank you.!
Reply
Jeanne
January 19, 2022 at 12:01 pm
Great recipe. The packages of Beyond Beef ground available in our stores contain 12 oz, not 16. I just reduced the rest of the ingredients a bit and it was delicious.
Reply
Aga
February 26, 2022 at 7:39 am

Let me start by saying: my family isn’t vegan. But because of my daughters food allergies- milk and egg, I very often look into vegan recipes to learn how to substitute some things.
I made this recipe last night using regular ground beef and chicken stock (please don’t hate me!) Instead of coconut cream I used Ripple Milk (yellow pea) and followed with all other ingredients. This meal came out amazing!!!! It was flavorful, creamy, filling simply perfect! Thank you for sharing it and sorry for making it less vegan 😄 but I’m happy to have a quick and tasty recipe that my allergic child can enjoy!
Reply
Theresa GAmomto2
February 26, 2022 at 6:27 pm

Omg this is so good. I made this for the 1st time tonight. This is comfort food at its best. Easy, and delicious like every other recipe Ive made by you. It does remind me of my childhood! Adding to the rotation of regulars. I made no adjustments, felt it wasnt needed. I used Beyond Meat as well. Thank you!
Reply
Fiona
March 12, 2022 at 5:12 pm

Just made it, and wow! This tastes like it’s straight up from a restaurant 😀 The sauce came out pretty creamy, just how I like it. I really enjoyed it, my family did so too 🙂
Reply
yum
July 16, 2022 at 11:33 pm

well, I love beef too
Reply
Jessica
December 6, 2022 at 9:45 pm

Amazing! What a family-favourite incredible comfort dish! And nostalgic too. And quick and simple! Thanks Lauren!
Reply
Odrée
December 21, 2022 at 6:20 pm

Really good !
Was a success, I added a bit more spicyness.
Thanks !
Reply
Jenny
January 22, 2023 at 9:31 am
I ommited the beyond crumbles, added mushrooms, yellow squash, green zucchini, and spinach and baked it. Delicious!
Reply
Joanne W
February 25, 2023 at 2:30 pm

Really yummy family friendly recipe
Reply
Adrienne
March 30, 2023 at 8:45 am
Can I use canned lite coconut milk for this recipe?
Reply
- Lauren Hartmann
  April 11, 2023 at 8:27 am
  Yes, I think that will work out fine!
  Reply
Grace
July 27, 2023 at 3:27 pm

Best comfort food on the planet! I’ve been making this recipe all the time! Thank you❤️
Reply