Ground Beef and Spinach Casserole
Cozy, hearty, and packed with layers of flavor, this Ground Beef and Spinach Casserole is the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights or family gatherings. Featuring tender pasta, a savory blend of ground beef and fresh spinach simmered in a rich tomato sauce, and creamy ricotta paired with melty mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, this dish is a true crowd-pleaser. Enhanced with aromatic garlic, diced onion, and Italian seasoning, every bite is bursting with home-cooked goodness. Ready in just under an hour, this easy casserole recipe offers a satisfying balance of protein, veggies, and cheesy indulgence. Perfect for meal prep or as a make-ahead dinner, this bubbly and golden-brown masterpiece is best served straight out of the oven for a warm and delicious meal the whole family will love.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground beef
- 8 cups Fresh spinach
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 medium Onion, diced
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoons Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1.5 cups Tomato sauce
- 1 cup Ricotta cheese
- 1 cup Shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 large Egg
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 3 cups Cooked pasta (e.g., penne or rotini)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish and set it aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until fully browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat and set the beef aside.
In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté the diced onion until soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
Add the spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in the tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, half of the Parmesan cheese, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix until smooth and set aside.
In the prepared casserole dish, layer half of the cooked pasta. Top with half of the beef-spinach-tomato mixture, then dollop half of the ricotta mixture across the top. Add half of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
Repeat the layers with the remaining ingredients: pasta, beef-spinach-tomato mixture, ricotta mixture, and mozzarella cheese.
Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
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 15 minutes, or until the cheese on top is bubbly and golden brown.
Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3317 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 198.8 g | 255% | |
| Saturated Fat | 85.5 g | 428% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 739 mg | 246% | |
| Sodium | 5989 mg | 260% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 190.1 g | 69% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 22.0 g | 79% | |
| Total Sugars | 26.5 g | ||
| Protein | 192.4 g | 385% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.8 mcg | 9% | |
| Calcium | 2301 mg | 177% | |
| Iron | 28.4 mg | 158% | |
| Potassium | 2799 mg | 60% | |
*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.
