Shelly's Recipe

TEX ITALIAN PASTA FIESTA

Category: Pasta - Baked

8 oz penne (or other short pasta)
10 oz frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
8 oz low fat cream cheese
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp oregano
1 pound ground beef
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 cups picante sauce
8 oz tomato sauce
6 oz tomato paste
2 tsp chili powder
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
4 oz shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook pasta according to package directions, and drain. In a large bowl, combine spinach, cream cheese, milk, and oregano. Mix well and set aside.

In a medium sauce pan, cook the ground beef with garlic. Add the picante sauce, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Add chili powder and cumin, and mix well. Simmer about 20 minutes, and add the pasta to the meat sauce and mix well.

Spray a 13x9 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Spoon 1/2 the meat mixture into the pan. Top with all of the spinach mixture, and top with the rest of the meat and pasta mixture.

Cover with aluminum foil and bake 30 minutes. Remove foil, top with cheese, and bake 3 to 5 more minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Remove from oven and let sit for 5 or 10 minutes before serving. Serves 8