Description
A comforting and delicious Ground Beef & Spinach Casserole that combines savory beef, creamy ricotta, and nutritious spinach, perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
- 1 (15-ounce) can ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup cooked pasta (such as penne or rotini)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and ground beef to the skillet. Cook until the beef is browned and cooked through, breaking it apart with a spoon, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in the salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Add the thawed and drained spinach, mixing well to combine. Remove from heat.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, and cooked pasta until well combined.
- In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread half of the marinara sauce on the bottom. Layer the beef and spinach mixture over the sauce, followed by the ricotta mixture. Top with the remaining marinara sauce and sprinkle the rest of the mozzarella cheese on top.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let the casserole cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes to the beef mixture.
- Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option, or use a plant-based ground meat for a vegetarian version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg