Description
This One-Pan Ground Beef and Spinach Pasta is a hearty, flavorful, and easy-to-make dinner perfect for busy weeknights. With browned ground beef, tender pasta cooked right in the sauce, and fresh spinach melted into cheesy goodness, it’s a nutritious and satisfying meal that combines minimal cleanup with maximum taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
Seasonings and Liquids
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Pasta and Cheese
- 8 oz uncooked pasta (penne or rotini)
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Brown the Beef and Sauté Onion: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and diced onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and the onion becomes soft, about 5–6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed to reduce greasiness.
- Add Garlic and Seasoning: Stir in minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook for an additional 30 seconds until the garlic is fragrant, which enhances the flavor base of the dish.
- Combine Tomatoes, Broth, and Pasta: Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juice and the beef broth. Add the uncooked pasta and stir everything together thoroughly. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat to start cooking the pasta.
- Simmer the Pasta: Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cook until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, creating a hearty and cohesive sauce.
- Incorporate Spinach: Stir in the roughly chopped fresh spinach. Cook for 1–2 minutes until the spinach wilts and blends into the pasta mixture, adding freshness and nutrients.
- Add Cheese and Finish: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta. Gently stir to melt the cheese into the dish, creating a creamy, cheesy finish. Serve warm for a comforting meal.
Notes
- You can substitute spinach with kale or use frozen spinach if fresh is unavailable.
- For extra creaminess, add a splash of heavy cream along with the cheeses.
- This recipe works great with whole wheat or gluten-free pasta to accommodate dietary preferences.
