Ever since I started this blog, whenever I cook or bake something now my boys will tell me if it’s “blog worthy.” I made this for dinner tonight, and after they each took one bite they all looked at me and said “Mom, this is blog worthy.” I know when they say that it’s got to be good because a couple of them are so dang picky!
This stuff was so yummy! I absolutely love comfort food like this. It was quick and easy to throw together and I love that it has spinach in it and my boys still ate it! Fast and simple meals like this are my favorite, especially when it’s 4:00 and I have nothing ready for dinner and we have a baseball games at 5:00 and 6:30. This was a huge hit at our house tonight. I think when I make it again I’ll try pepper jack cheese on top . . .mmmmm, now that would give it a nice little kick!
- 1 3/4 cup uncooked penne pasta
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tsp. minced garlic
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato puree
- 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) beef broth
- 1 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- 2 cups chopped fresh spinach
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
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Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic,, cook one minute longer. Drain.
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Stir in the tomato puree, broth, Italian seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 10-15 minutes or until slightly thickened.
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Add spinach, cook for 1-2 minutes or until spinach is wilted.
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Drain pasta; stir into beef mixture. Sprinkle with cheese, cover and cook for 3-4 minutes or until cheese is melted.
I didn't have a can of tomato puree in my pantry, so I just took a can of diced tomatoes and threw them in my BlendTec. It worked great!
Recipe Source: Taste of Home Ground Beef Magazine 2011
Made this for dinner last night and it was so good. I love that I can secretly get my family to eat spinach without them complaining. I topped it off with pepper jack cheese and it gave it a nice little kick!
Is tomato puree the same as tomato juice?
Hi Tammy, tomato puree is not the same as tomato juice. The puree can be found with all the canned tomatoes. It says right on the front of the can “tomato puree.” Thank for looking.
Thank you, Jodi. I was also wondering how many servings this has. Thanks so much again for all of your great recipes. Planning on making this tomorrow.
Tammy, if I remember right, this makes about 6-8 servings.
Thanks so much!
Had this for dinner tonight….pretty good, but mine didn’t really thicken at all. What did I do wrong?
Not sure what you did wrong Tammy, sorry. Did you leave the lid off while simmering? It doesn’t get super thick. The pasta does absorb some of the liquid, did you add enough pasta?