Cheesy Beef and Spinach Pasta Bake

School is back in session for many of you, and you are struggling to find balance in all of the "new" activities that now have to fit into your already busy day.  The last thing you want to be stressing over is dinner.  That is why it is good to have meals like my Cheesy Beef and Spinach Pasta Bake.  

With just a few simple ingredients you probably already have on hand in your pantry and refrigerator, you will have dinner ready and on the table is under 30 minutes.  Your are going to love this one, so...

Lets get started!

Cheesy Beef and Spinach Pasta Bake:
*Prep Time:  15 min.  *Cook Time:  15 min.  *Difficulty:  Easy  *Servings:  6-8

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. Penne Pasta
• 1 lb. Ground Beef
• 1 Jar of Marinara
• 1 Jar full of Water
• 1/4 c. Brown Sugar
• 1 10 oz. Box of Frozen Spinach, thawed and drained
• 1 Onion, diced
• 4-6 Cloves of Garlic, minced
• 1 small Can of Mushrooms, sliced
• 2 c. Mozzarella Cheese, grated
• 1 c. Parmesan Cheese, grated
• Salt and Pepper to taste

To begin, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and place a large pot of salted water over high heat to boil.

In an oven-safe pan, ass 2-3 tbsp. of extra virgin olive oil and place over medium/high heat to get HOT.

Once the pan is hot add the onion and cook until tender and translucent.

Next add the garlic.
Cook until you smell it coming from the pan.

Now you can add the ground beef.

Season with salt and ...

Pepper.
Allow the ground beef to fully cook until it is no longer pink.

While the ground beef is cooking, take the thawed spinach and squeeze out all of the excess water.

Add the spinach and mushrooms to the cooked ground beef.

Add the marinara sauce, then fill the jar with water and pour that into the sauce as well.

Stir everything together and season with salt, pepper, and...

The brown sugar.
Simmer for 10 minutes.

Once the pasta is finished, you can add it to the sauce.

Now grate the cheese and ...

Add half of the cheese to the pan.

Stir everything together.

Top with the rest of the cheese and place in the preheated oven for 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden brown, about 15 minutes.

And there you have it!  A delicious, nutritious meal that you just throw together, and is ready in 30 minutes!  Serve this with a simple tossed salad and you are eating!  So don't stress over what's for dinner.  Head over to your pantry and make this TONIGHT!

And as always...

Happy Reading, Happy Eating, and Happy Living,
~The Kitchen Wife~

Cheesy Beef and Spinach Pasta Bake:
*Prep Time:  15 min.  *Cook Time:  15 min.  *Difficulty:  Easy  *Servings:  6-8

PRINTABLE RECIPE

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. Penne Pasta
• 1 lb. Ground Beef
• 1 Jar of Marinara
• 1 Jar full of Water
• 1/4 c. Brown Sugar
• 1 10 oz. Box of Frozen Spinach, thawed and drained
• 1 Onion, diced
• 4-6 Cloves of Garlic, minced
• 1 small Can of Mushrooms, sliced
• 2 c. Mozzarella Cheese, grated
• 1 c. Parmesan Cheese, grated
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

1. To begin, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and place a large pot of salted water over high heat to boil.  Once at a boil add the pasta and cook according to the directions on the box. 
2. In an oven-safe pan, ass 2-3 tbsp. of extra virgin olive oil and place over medium/high heat to get HOT.
3. Once the pan is hot add the onion and cook until tender and translucent. 
4. Next add the garlic. Cook until you smell it coming from the pan. 
5. Now you can add the ground beef.  Season with salt and pepper. Cook until brown and no longer pink.
6. While the ground beef is cooking, wring out the excess water from the spinach.
7. Once the ground beef is fully cooked add the spinach, mushrooms, and sauce.   
8. Add salt, pepper, and brown sugar.  
9. Stir and let simmer for 15 min.  
10. Add the pasta and HALF of the grated cheese. 
11. Stir until everything is combined.  
12. Top with the other half of the grated cheese and place in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. 
13. Serve and Enjoy!