Hearty Beef and Spinach Pasta

Quick, dirty and festive, this all-in-one meal gets dinner done. Make it even heartier by adding chopped onions, peppers, tomatoes and mushrooms.

[Prep: 5min / Cook: 30min]

– bow tie / farfalle pasta (about 2 cups dry)
– ½lbs+ of ground beef (.2 – .3kg)
– 8oz. can of tomato sauce or paste
– 8oz. of whipping cream
– fresh, raw spinach
– shredded mozzarella cheese
– garlic powder
– onion powder

1. Boil pasta according to package directions. Drain.
2. Spray a large saucepan lightly with cooking spray and begin browning the beef over medium-high heat with a dash each of garlic and onion powder.
3. When the meat begins to change color, add the tomato sauce and cream.
4. Bring to a boil. Turn heat to low and let simmer for about 5-10 minutes.
5. Stir in the cooked pasta, cheese and spinach.
6. Pasta is finished when the cheese melts and the spinach begins to wilt.

[Serves 2]

 Notes

• A lot of people like to drain the fat from their beef. I prefer to buy lean beef so I can skip that step and let the meat cook in the sauce. To drain your beef, cook it fully first (about 5-10 minutes ’til there’s no more pink) then remove it to a bowl or plate lined with a paper towel for a few minutes before putting it back in the pan with the sauce.
• How much cheese and spinach? I throw both in by the handful, but start with about ½ cup of cheese and 2 cups of fresh spinach and add on from there as you please.
• To make this dish a more rounded meal, try adding chopped onions, peppers, tomatoes and mushrooms to the beef while browning.