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Ground Beef and Spinach Casserole

Elina James
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • For the Casserole:
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 package (10 oz / 280 g) frozen spinach, thawed and drained well
  • 1 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt for a lighter option)
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
  • 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup cooked rice, pasta, or quinoa (optional, for extra heartiness)
  • For Garnish (Optional):
  • Fresh parsley, chopped
  • A sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese

Instructions
 

  • Step 1: Preheat Oven : Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil or nonstick spray.
  • Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef : Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil, then the ground beef. Cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked (about 6–7 minutes). Drain excess fat if necessary.
  • Step 3: Add Aromatics and Seasonings : Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until soft and translucent (3 minutes). Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for another minute until fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
  • Step 4: Prepare the Spinach Mixture : In a medium bowl, combine: Drained spinach ,Ricotta cheese ,Sour cream ,Half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese ,Mix until well blended.
  • Step 5: Assemble the Casserole : Spread half of the beef mixture in the bottom of the baking dish. Spoon the spinach-cheese mixture over the beef layer. Add the remaining beef mixture on top. Sprinkle with the rest of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. (Optional: Add cooked rice, pasta, or quinoa as a middle layer for extra texture and volume.)
  • Step 6: Bake : Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbling. Let it rest for 5–10 minutes before serving to allow the layers to set.
  • Step 7: Garnish and Serve : Sprinkle with fresh parsley and a touch of Parmesan cheese. Serve warm and enjoy the creamy, cheesy goodness in every bite!