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Layered Pasta Casserole

Source of Recipe


Easy Home Cooking, December/January 2007






List of Ingredients



• 8 ounces uncooked penne pasta
  
• 8 ounces mild Italian sausage (removed from casing)
  
• 8 ounces 90% lean ground beef
  
• 1 jar (about 26 ounces) spaghetti sauce
  
• 1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
  
• 1 cup whole ricotta cheese
  
• 1 large egg
  
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  
• 2 Tbsp chopped fresh basil or 2 tsp dried basil
  
• 1 tsp salt
  






Instructions



1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Lightly coat 13- x 9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray; set aside. Cook pasta according to directions on package; drain. Transfer to prepared baking dish.
   
   
2. Heat large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage and ground beef; cook until browned, stirring frequently to break up meat. Drain and discard fat. Add spaghetti sauce and mix well. Add half of meat sauce to pasta; toss to coat thoroughly.
   
   
3. Combine spinach, ricotta, egg, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, basil and salt in medium bowl. Spoon small mounds of spinach mixture evenly over pasta mixture, and spread evenly using back of spoon. Top with remaining meat sauce. Sprinkle evenly with remaining 1 cup mozzarella. Bake 30 minutes, uncovered.
   
   Makes 6 to 8 servings.