Ground Beef and Pasta Casserole with a Twist
Elevate your weeknight dinners with this irresistible Ground Beef and Pasta Casserole with a Twist! This hearty, family-friendly dish combines tender pasta, savory ground beef cooked with smoky paprika and oregano, and a rich tomato sauce, layered with a creamy spinach and cream cheese mixture for a surprise burst of flavor. Topped with melty mozzarella and sharp cheddar cheese, this baked casserole achieves the perfect balance of indulgence and comfort. Ready in just 60 minutes and serving up to six, it’s an easy-to-make yet crowd-pleasing recipe that’s ideal for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and dig into a cheesy, bubbly masterpiece! Keywords: ground beef casserole, pasta bake, creamy pasta casserole, family dinner recipes, easy weeknight meals.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 15 ounces canned diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 12 ounces short pasta (penne or rotini)
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 0.5 cup water
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
Add the garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant.
Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
Stir in smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to season the beef evenly.
Add the canned diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and water to the skillet. Stir to combine and let simmer for 5-7 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Remove from heat.
In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese and baby spinach. Stir until the spinach is evenly coated in the cream cheese.
Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread half of the cooked pasta in the bottom of the dish.
Layer the beef and tomato sauce mixture over the pasta.
Spread the spinach and cream cheese mixture evenly on top of the beef layer.
Add the remaining pasta on top as the next layer.
Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the top layer, followed by the shredded cheddar cheese.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired, and serve warm.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3486 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 237.2 g | 304% | |
| Saturated Fat | 109.5 g | 548% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 6.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 697 mg | 232% | |
| Sodium | 5585 mg | 243% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 161.7 g | 59% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 21.5 g | 77% | |
| Total Sugars | 29.2 g | ||
| Protein | 184.0 g | 368% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 2516 mg | 194% | |
| Iron | 19.4 mg | 108% | |
| Potassium | 2781 mg | 59% | |
*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.
