Ground Beef and Spinach Pasta Bake

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Ground Beef and Spinach Pasta Bake—a hearty, family-friendly recipe that combines tender penne pasta, savory ground beef, and nutrient-packed fresh spinach in a rich marinara sauce. Layered with creamy ricotta and topped with a golden, bubbly mix of mozzarella and Parmesan, this oven-baked dish is infused with classic Italian flavors thanks to a hint of garlic and Italian seasoning. Ready in just under an hour, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Serve this cheesy pasta bake with a crisp side salad or warm garlic bread for a complete meal that will have everyone coming back for seconds!

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 yellow onion
• 3 garlic cloves
• 6 cups fresh spinach
• 24 oz marinara sauce
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 4

Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic. Add them to the skillet with the ground beef. Cook until the onion is softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 5

Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.

Step 6

Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

Step 7

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the sauce mixture. Stir until well coated.

Step 8

Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spoon dollops of ricotta cheese evenly over the layer. Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.

Step 9

Layer the remaining pasta mixture on top. Finish by sprinkling the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly over the top.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 11

Remove from the oven and let the pasta bake rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2361.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4196.6

Total Fat 223.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 98.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 692.5mg	0%
Sodium 6790.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 315.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 24.9g	0%
Total Sugars 18.9g
Protein 246.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 3818.2mg	0%
Iron 27.8mg	0%
Potassium 2230.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 47.2%

Protein: 23.2%

Carbs: 29.6%