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Rustic Italian Beef and Spinach Bake

A comforting and easy dish combining ground beef, spinach, ricotta, and marinara sauce, perfect for busy family dinners.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound ground beef Hearty beef for flavor.
  • 2 cups fresh spinach Nutritious boost.
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese Creamy goodness.
  • 1 cup marinara sauce Essential sauce for flavor.
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese For topping.
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning For authentic flavor.
  • Salt and pepper to taste Essential for seasoning.
  • Olive oil Used for cooking the beef.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a medium skillet, heat a splash of olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until the beef is browned.
  3. Toss in the fresh spinach and stir until it wilts, about 2 minutes.
  4. In a bowl, combine the ricotta and half of the mozzarella. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
Assembly
  1. In an oven-safe dish, spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom. Spoon the beef and spinach mixture over this layer.
  2. Dollop the ricotta and mozzarella mix on top, then add the remaining marinara sauce and sprinkle with the rest of the mozzarella.
Baking
  1. Bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
  2. Let it cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Feel free to add extra veggies like bell peppers or mushrooms, and leftovers can be reheated. Consider serving additional marinara on the side.