Dinner Casserole
Dive into the ultimate comfort food with this hearty Dinner Casserole recipe, a one-pan wonder that's perfect for feeding a hungry crowd or meal-prepping for the week. Packed with tender ground beef, sautéed onions, fresh baby spinach, and al dente pasta, this dish is tossed in a rich marinara sauce infused with creamy goodness and Italian seasonings. Topped with layers of melty cheddar and mozzarella, every bite boasts gooey, savory perfection. Easy to assemble and generously portioned to serve six, this baked casserole is your go-to for a family-friendly dinner that’s both satisfying and loaded with flavor. Serve it with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese for an extra kick, and enjoy a warm, cheesy feast that's ready in under an hour.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 3 cups baby spinach
- 3 cups cooked pasta (e.g., penne or rotini)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 0.5 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25 cup parmesan cheese, grated (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with non-stick spray or a small amount of olive oil.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and brown it, breaking it into crumbles with a wooden spoon, for about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease and set the beef aside on a plate.
In the same skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Stir in the baby spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Add the cooked ground beef back to the skillet and mix well.
Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the marinara sauce, heavy cream, dried Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let this mixture simmer for 5 minutes.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and gently toss to coat it in the sauce. Remove the skillet from the heat.
Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle half of the cheddar cheese and half of the mozzarella cheese over the mixture. Add the remaining pasta mixture on top and sprinkle the rest of the cheddar and mozzarella cheeses over the top layer.
If using, sprinkle parmesan cheese evenly over the top for extra flavor.
Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden.
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-7 minutes before serving. Enjoy your hearty, cheesy dinner casserole!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4014 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 239.3 g | 307% | |
| Saturated Fat | 111.1 g | 556% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 696 mg | 232% | |
| Sodium | 5700 mg | 248% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 256.7 g | 93% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 21.0 g | 75% | |
| Total Sugars | 20.8 g | ||
| Protein | 190.4 g | 381% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.6 mcg | 3% | |
| Calcium | 2510 mg | 193% | |
| Iron | 20.0 mg | 111% | |
| Potassium | 1845 mg | 39% | |
*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.
