Ground Beef and Spinach Pasta Bake
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Ground Beef and Spinach Pasta Bake—a hearty, family-friendly recipe that combines tender penne pasta, savory ground beef, and nutrient-packed fresh spinach in a rich marinara sauce. Layered with creamy ricotta and topped with a golden, bubbly mix of mozzarella and Parmesan, this oven-baked dish is infused with classic Italian flavors thanks to a hint of garlic and Italian seasoning. Ready in just under an hour, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Serve this cheesy pasta bake with a crisp side salad or warm garlic bread for a complete meal that will have everyone coming back for seconds!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 yellow onion
- 3 garlic cloves
- 6 cups fresh spinach
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic. Add them to the skillet with the ground beef. Cook until the onion is softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the sauce mixture. Stir until well coated.
Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spoon dollops of ricotta cheese evenly over the layer. Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
Layer the remaining pasta mixture on top. Finish by sprinkling the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly over the top.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and let the pasta bake rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
621 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 39.8 g | 51% | |
| Saturated Fat | 17.7 g | 89% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 112 mg | 37% | |
| Sodium | 1056 mg | 46% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 27.2 g | 10% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.2 g | 11% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.5 g | ||
| Protein | 37.4 g | 75% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 564 mg | 43% | |
| Iron | 3.5 mg | 20% | |
| Potassium | 251 mg | 5% | |
*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.
