Savory Beef Florentine Bake
This Savory Beef Florentine Bake is a delightful one-dish meal that combines the rich flavors of seasoned ground beef with a creamy, cheesy spinach filling, all encased in layers of crispy phyllo pastry. Inspired by a beloved recipe from 'Home Cooking', this version has been perfected over the years into a family favorite. The hearty combination of crushed tomatoes, aromatic spices, and fresh spinach makes this dish not only taste wonderful but also quite visually appealing. Each bite is a delightful mix of textures and flavors that will surely impress everyone at the table, making it a perfect choice for gatherings or a comforting family dinner.
6
Servings
500
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
lean ground beef or ground sirloin
1 lb (no preparation needed)
crushed tomatoes with puree
1 (28 ounce) can (no preparation needed)
extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon (no preparation needed)
garlic cloves
3 (minced)
tomato paste
3 tablespoons (no preparation needed)
sugar
1 tablespoon (no preparation needed)
nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon (no preparation needed)
oregano
1 tablespoon (no preparation needed)
salt and pepper
to taste (no preparation needed)
fresh spinach
9 ounces (trimmed)
eggs
2 (beaten)
small curd cottage cheese
1 lb (no preparation needed)
Italian cheese blend (4 cheese mixture)
2 cups (no preparation needed)
kosher salt
1 teaspoon (no preparation needed)
black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (no preparation needed)
phyllo pastry sheets
8 (no preparation needed)
melted butter
for brushing (no preparation needed)
Instructions
1
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2
Add minced garlic and sauté for about 2 minutes until fragrant.
3
Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks.
4
Drain off any excess fat from the skillet.
5
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, nutmeg, oregano, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
6
Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook for at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
7
While the sauce simmers, prepare the filling: wilt the chopped spinach in a pan over medium heat and drain it well, squeezing out any excess moisture.
8
In a mixing bowl, combine the beaten eggs, cottage cheese, cooked spinach, 1 cup of the Italian cheese blend, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix until well combined.
9
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a 13x9-inch glass baking dish with non-stick spray.
10
Pour the meat sauce into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
11
Carefully spoon the spinach and cheese filling over the meat sauce and spread it out evenly.
12
Sprinkle the remaining Italian cheese blend over the filling.
13
Lay one phyllo sheet on top of the cheese. Brush with melted butter, then repeat until all 8 sheets are layered and brushed with butter.
14
Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour or until the top is golden brown.
15
Once done, let the dish stand for at least 15 minutes before cutting into squares and serving.
Nutrition Information
25g
Fat
33g
Carbs
42g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Beef Florentine Bake?
It is a one-dish meal featuring seasoned ground beef, a creamy spinach and cheese filling, and layers of crispy phyllo pastry.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What type of meat is recommended for this dish?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of lean ground beef or ground sirloin.
How long should the meat sauce simmer?
The sauce should simmer for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to develop.
What ingredients are in the spinach filling?
The filling consists of wilted fresh spinach, beaten eggs, cottage cheese, and part of the Italian cheese blend.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 500 calories.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
How many sheets of phyllo pastry are used?
The recipe uses 8 sheets of phyllo pastry.
Is there any sugar in the sauce?
Yes, 1 tablespoon of sugar is added to the meat sauce.
How do I prepare the spinach?
Wilt the chopped fresh spinach in a pan and drain it well, squeezing out any excess moisture.
What kind of cheese is used in the filling?
The recipe uses small curd cottage cheese and an Italian cheese blend.
What size baking dish is required?
A 13x9-inch glass baking dish is recommended.
How long does the bake need to stay in the oven?
It should bake for 1 hour or until the top is golden brown.
Should I let the dish rest after baking?
Yes, let the dish stand for at least 15 minutes before cutting into squares.
What are the primary seasonings in the beef sauce?
The sauce is seasoned with garlic, nutmeg, oregano, salt, and pepper.
How much protein is in one serving?
There are 42g of protein per serving.
What is the total fat content per serving?
The total fat content is 25g per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in this recipe?
There are 33g of carbohydrates per serving.
Do I need to grease the baking dish?
Yes, spray the dish with non-stick spray before adding the ingredients.
What type of tomatoes should I use?
The recipe uses a 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes with puree.
Is garlic used in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe calls for 3 minced garlic cloves.
What is used to brush the phyllo sheets?
Melted butter is used to brush each layer of phyllo pastry.
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
While the recipe specifies beef, ground turkey could be used as a leaner substitute.
What is the inspiration for this recipe?
This recipe was inspired by a dish from 'Home Cooking'.
How do I layer the dish?
Layer the meat sauce on the bottom, followed by the spinach filling, then extra cheese, and finally the phyllo sheets.
Are there any specific spices for the cheese mixture?
The cheese mixture is seasoned with salt and pepper to taste.
What is the purpose of nutmeg in the sauce?
Nutmeg adds a warm, aromatic depth that complements the spinach and beef.
Is olive oil used in the cooking process?
Yes, 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil is used to sauté the garlic and beef.
How many eggs are needed for the filling?
The filling requires 2 beaten eggs.
What type of cottage cheese works best?
Small curd cottage cheese is recommended for the filling texture.