Pasta Dish Recipe: Easy Beef & Spinach Lasagna

Easy Beef & Spinach Lasagna

Ingredients:

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 (26 to 30-ounce) jar prepared spaghetti sauce
• 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 1 (15-ounce) carton part-skim ricotta cheese
• 1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and squeezed dry
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 10 no cook-style lasagna noodles
• 1 1/2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Procedures:

1. Heat oven to 375°F (190°C). In large nonstick skillet, brown ground beef over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes or until no longer pink. Pour off drippings. Season beef with salt; stir in spaghetti sauce, tomatoes and red pepper; set aside.
2. Meanwhile in medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, spinach, Parmesan cheese and egg.
3. Spread 2 cups beef sauce over bottom of 13x9-inch baking dish. Arrange 4 lasagna noodles lengthwise in single layer. Place 5th noodle across end of baking dish, breaking noodle to fit dish; press noodles into sauce.
4. Spread entire ricotta cheese mixture over noodles; sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella cheese and top with 1 1/2 cups beef sauce. Arrange remaining noodles in single layer; press lightly into sauce. Top with remaining beef sauce.
5. Bake in 375°F (190°C) oven 45 minutes or until noodles are tender. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese on top; tent lightly with aluminum foil. Let stand 15 minutes; cut into 12 (3x3-inch) squares.

Serves 12.