Creamy Beef and Pasta Casserole with Spinach
Indulge in the comfort of a hearty, flavor-packed dinner with this Creamy Beef and Pasta Casserole with Spinach. Featuring tender penne pasta cloaked in a rich tomato cream sauce, this baked casserole is loaded with savory ground beef, fresh spinach, and melty layers of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. The dish is perfectly seasoned with Italian herbs and a touch of paprika, creating a cozy and satisfying meal that's perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings. Ready in just one hour, this easy-to-make casserole is a crowd-pleaser that pairs beautifully with a crisp side salad or garlic bread. With its creamy texture, vibrant spinach, and golden cheesy topping, this wholesome dinner idea checks all the boxes for comfort food classics!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 300 grams pasta (penne or rigatoni)
- 450 grams ground beef
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 400 grams crushed tomatoes
- 240 milliliters heavy cream
- 150 grams fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 200 grams shredded mozzarella cheese
- 50 grams grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish lightly with olive oil or non-stick spray and set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute, until fragrant.
Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook and crumble the beef, stirring frequently, until browned and fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let simmer for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
Pour in the heavy cream and stir well to combine. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly.
Add the chopped spinach to the sauce and stir until wilted, about 2 minutes. Remove the skillet from heat.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, the beef and spinach sauce, and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Mix thoroughly to evenly coat the pasta.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish, spreading it into an even layer. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese.
Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the cheese on top is melted and golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let the casserole cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy your Creamy Beef and Pasta Casserole with Spinach!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3544 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 249.8 g | 320% | |
| Saturated Fat | 119.9 g | 600% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 731 mg | 244% | |
| Sodium | 5109 mg | 222% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 139.0 g | 51% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 17.0 g | 61% | |
| Total Sugars | 20.4 g | ||
| Protein | 173.1 g | 346% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 2312 mg | 178% | |
| Iron | 17.6 mg | 98% | |
| Potassium | 3120 mg | 66% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
