blondie's pasta bake

Name: BLONDIE'S PASTA BAKE
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 3 tablespoon(s) evoo; 1 medium yellow sweet onion, rough chopped; 2 - bell peppers, julienned; 4 clove(s) garlic, minced or 2 tsp jarred minced garlic; 1 pound(s) very lean ground beef; 3 tablespoon(s) dried italian seasoning; 1 tablespoon(s) dried basil; - salt and pepper to taste; 1 pound(s) dry pasta of choice (except angel hair); 1 jar(s) paul newman's marinara sauce; 15 ounce(s) can petite diced tomatoes, do not drain; 10 ounce(s) pkg frozen spinach, thawed and all juice squeezed out of it (optional); 1 pound(s) shredded mozzarella; 1/2 cup(s) grated parmesan in the green can (optional)

(2 RATINGS)

56 Pinches

Blondie Pussycat

The Rockies!, NM

Updated on Nov 1, 2012

I've been making this for 30 or more years, and I don't get tired of it. This dish takes very little time prepping, since it is semi-homemade. My friends and family love this dish, and I love making it. Serve with a nice green salad and garlic bread~you've got a meal that is tasty and filling.

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prep time 15 Min

cook time 1 Hr 15 Min

method Bake

yield 6 serving(s)

Ingredients

3 tablespoons evoo
1 medium yellow sweet onion, rough chopped
2 - bell peppers, julienned
4 cloves garlic, minced or 2 tsp jarred minced garlic
1 pound very lean ground beef
3 tablespoons dried italian seasoning
1 tablespoon dried basil
- salt and pepper to taste
1 pound dry pasta of choice (except angel hair)
1 jar paul newman's marinara sauce
15 ounces can petite diced tomatoes, do not drain
10 ounces pkg frozen spinach, thawed and all juice squeezed out of it (optional)
1 pound shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup grated parmesan in the green can (optional)

How To Make blondie's pasta bake

Step 1

In a large skillet on med-hi heat, pour in evoo. Heat till shimmery. Add onions and saute for 4-5 minutes till they start to brown around the edges. Add bell peppers and garlic; saute for 4 minutes.

Step 2

Add italian seasoning, basil, and ground beef. Break it up and stir till brown. Now s&p to taste. **In the meantime bring 4 qts of water in a 5qt or larger dutch oven or stock pot.
Step 3

Preheat oven to 350*, then continue the recipe~you're almost thru!
Step 4

Pour pasta sauce, tomatoes spinach and parmesan into meat mixture. Stir well.
Step 5

Cook pasta ONLY ONE-HALF THE TIME ON PACKAGE. It will continue to cook in the oven. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water.
Step 6

Spray a light coat of cooking spray in a 13x9 pan. Spread about a cup of the pasta-meat sauce in the pan. Now pour the drained pasta evenly in the pan. If the meat sauce is too thick, add the pasta water 1/4 cup at a time until it is the consistency you want.
Step 7

Pour the meat sauce into the pan and top with mozzarella. Place in the oven and bake about 25-30 minutes until the cheese is browning around the edges of the pan and the sauce is bubbling. Remove from oven.
Step 8

Allow the Pasta Bake to rest about 10-15 minutes after removing it from the oven. The garlic bread can be cooking during this time. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ENJOY~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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