Savory Beef and Spinach Pasta Bake
Indulge in this hearty Savory Beef and Spinach Pasta Bake, a comforting and nutritious one-dish meal that combines rich ground beef with tender spinach and shell macaroni, all enveloped in a creamy sauce. Topped with melted Swiss cheese, this casserole is perfect for feeding a crowd and is sure to become a family favorite. Easy to prepare and packed with flavor, it's a wonderful way to bring everyone to the table for a satisfying meal.
N/A
Servings
350
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ground Beef
1 lb (raw)
Onion
1 medium (chopped)
Celery
1/4 cup (chopped)
Garlic
1 clove (crushed)
Shell Macaroni
8 oz (cooked and drained)
Frozen Chopped Spinach
10 oz (thawed)
Shredded Swiss Cheese
1/2 cup (shredded)
Milk
3/4 cup (none)
Salt
1 tsp (none)
Rosemary
1/2 tsp (dried)
Pepper
1/4 tsp (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large, heavy skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until it is browned and fully cooked, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks.
3
Add the chopped onion, celery, and crushed garlic to the skillet, and sauté until the onion is translucent and the vegetables are tender, about 5-7 minutes.
4
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked meat and vegetable mixture with the cooked shell macaroni, thawed spinach, shredded Swiss cheese, milk, salt, rosemary, and pepper. Stir until all ingredients are well incorporated.
5
Transfer the mixture to a 2-quart casserole dish, spreading it evenly.
6
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until heated through and bubbly.
7
Remove the foil for the last 10 minutes of baking to allow the cheese to melt and golden slightly.
8
Once done, remove from the oven, let it cool slightly, and serve warm.
Nutrition Information
18g
Fat
25g
Carbs
20g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Beef and Spinach Pasta Bake?
It is a hearty and nutritious one-dish meal combining ground beef, tender spinach, and shell macaroni in a creamy sauce topped with melted Swiss cheese.
What are the main ingredients for this pasta bake?
The main ingredients include ground beef, onion, celery, garlic, shell macaroni, frozen chopped spinach, Swiss cheese, milk, salt, rosemary, and pepper.
How much ground beef do I need?
You will need 1 lb of raw ground beef for this recipe.
What type of pasta is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 8 oz of shell macaroni, which should be cooked and drained before assembly.
Do I need to thaw the spinach?
Yes, the recipe requires 10 oz of frozen chopped spinach that has been thawed.
What kind of cheese is used in this dish?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of shredded Swiss cheese.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before baking.
How long does it take to bake?
The casserole should be baked for a total of 30 minutes until heated through and bubbly.
Should I cover the casserole while baking?
Yes, cover the dish with aluminum foil for the first 20 minutes and remove it for the last 10 minutes.
Why do I remove the foil for the last 10 minutes?
Removing the foil allows the cheese to melt and become slightly golden.
What size casserole dish should I use?
A 2-quart casserole dish is ideal for this recipe.
How do I prepare the vegetables?
Chop the onion and celery, and crush the garlic before sautéing them.
How long should I sauté the vegetables?
Sauté the onion, celery, and garlic for about 5-7 minutes until they are tender.
What seasonings are used in this beef pasta bake?
The seasonings include 1 tsp of salt, 1/2 tsp of dried rosemary, and 1/4 tsp of pepper.
How many calories are in a serving?
There are approximately 350 calories per serving.
How much protein is in this dish?
This recipe contains 20g of protein per serving.
What is the fat content of this meal?
There are 18g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in each serving?
Each serving contains 25g of carbohydrates.
How much milk is added to the mixture?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of milk to help create the creamy sauce.
Is the garlic fresh or powdered?
The recipe specifies using one clove of crushed garlic.
Can I use a different type of meat?
While the recipe calls for ground beef, you could potentially substitute with ground turkey or chicken.
What are the tags for this recipe?
This recipe is tagged as a casserole, one dish meal, beef recipe, spinach, pasta bake, comfort food, and cheesy.
Is this recipe easy to make?
Yes, it is described as easy to prepare and perfect for feeding a crowd.
How many ingredients are required in total?
There are 11 ingredients required for this Savory Beef and Spinach Pasta Bake.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
How should the beef be cooked?
Cook the ground beef in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat until browned and fully cooked.
When do I add the macaroni to the mix?
The cooked macaroni is added to a large mixing bowl along with the meat, vegetables, spinach, cheese, milk, and spices before baking.
Is this a good meal for families?
Yes, it is a family favorite that is both satisfying and packed with flavor.
Should I let it cool before serving?
Yes, once removed from the oven, let it cool slightly before serving warm.
What is the preparation for the onion?
One medium onion should be chopped before being sautéed with the beef and other vegetables.