Cheesy Beef and Spinach Pasta Bake

Warm up your weeknight dinners with this Cheesy Beef and Spinach Pasta Bake! This creamy and comforting dish combines savory ground beef, fresh spinach, and a variety of melted cheeses for a family-friendly meal thats quick and satisfying. Perfect for busy nights or special gatherings, it fills your kitchen with mouthwatering aromas that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Save this recipe for a cozy night in!

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Ingredients

12 oz (340g) penne or rigatoni pasta

1 lb (450g) ground beef

2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped

1 cup ricotta cheese

2 cups marinara sauce

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 medium onion, diced

1 tsp Italian seasoning

Salt and black pepper, to taste

2 tbsp olive oil

Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C), ensuring it's ready for the pasta bake.

Prepare the Pasta: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until it’s al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside.

Sauté the Aromatics and Beef: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing for about 3-4 minutes, or until the onion becomes translucent. Next, add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until it’s browned and cooked through, roughly 5-7 minutes. Season the mixture with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning to taste.

Incorporate the Spinach: With the beef fully cooked, stir in the chopped spinach and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the spinach has wilted and is tender.

Mix Ingredients Together: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, beef and spinach mixture, ricotta cheese, and marinara sauce. Mix everything together thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined.

Layer for Baking: Spoon half of the pasta mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Spread half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the pasta layer. Next, pour in the remaining pasta mixture, followed by the rest of the mozzarella cheese. Finish with an even sprinkling of grated Parmesan cheese on top.

Bake the Pasta Dish: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 25 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and has developed a golden color.

Garnish and Serve Warm: Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and allow it to sit for about 5 minutes to set. If desired, garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving warm.

Prep Time: 15 mins | Total Time: 55 mins | Servings: 6

- Presentation Tips: For a lovely presentation, serve individual portions in pasta bowls and add a drizzle of extra marinara sauce around the edges. A sprinkle of additional Parmesan and freshly cracked pepper on top elevates the dish further.