Bare Cupboards Dinner Party Casseroles Recipe

Name: Bare Cupboards Dinner Party Casseroles
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 150 min
Total time: 180 min
Yield: Serves 1 or more
Ingredients: 2 lbs lean ground beef; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 cups chopped onion; 1 1/2 cups chopped celery; 1 1/2 cups chopped carrots; 2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 1/2 tablespoons Italian seasoning; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 (16 ounce) package pasta; 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry; 1 cup grated parmesan cheese; 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste; 1 1/2 cups chicken broth; 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

Impress your guests with this hearty, budget-friendly Italian beef and spinach casserole! This recipe, inspired by a resourceful 1973 Family Circle article and passed down through generations, makes TWO delicious casseroles – one for tonight's dinner party and one to freeze for later. Perfect for using up pantry staples, this adaptable recipe lets you swap in your favorite veggies like roasted red peppers or mushrooms. Get ready to wow your friends with a comforting, cheesy masterpiece that's surprisingly easy on the wallet!

Prep Time 30 mins

Cook Time 150 mins

Calories 222.9 kcal

Protein 39g

Rating 4.2 (6 Reviews)

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Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Bare Cupboards Dinner Party Casseroles

2 lbs lean ground beef
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups chopped onion
1 1/2 cups chopped celery
1 1/2 cups chopped carrots
2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (16 ounce) package pasta
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

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How to Make Bare Cupboards Dinner Party Casseroles

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat; drain off any excess grease.
Add the onion and garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
In a large bowl, combine the cooked beef mixture, cooked pasta, spinach, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Mix well.
Pour the mixture into two greased 9x13 inch baking dishes.
Top each casserole with the remaining mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.
Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until heated through and bubbly. During the last 5-10 minutes of baking, add extra cheese if desired!
Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

31 g

Sugar

29g

Fat

21g

Carbs

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

Time To Make Course Main Ingredient Cuisine Preparation Occasion North American For Large Groups Main Dish Beef Pasta Vegetables American Oven European Potluck Dinner Party Italian Oamc Freezer Make Ahead Ground Beef Meat Pasta Rice And Grains Elbow Macaroni Tomatoes Taste Mood Savory To Go Equipment Number Of Servings 4 Hours Or Less