Tuscan Beef and Spinach Pasta

Ingredients

Pasta & Protein:

• 12 oz campanelle or penne pasta

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20)

Vegetables:

• 1 medium onion, diced

• 6 garlic cloves, minced

• 2 cups fresh spinach, packed

• 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, roughly chopped

Base & Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

• 1 tablespoon oil from sun-dried tomatoes

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 2 cups whole milk

• 2 cups beef broth

• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Seasonings:

• 2 teaspoons garlic powder

• 2 teaspoons onion powder

• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

• 2 teaspoons salt

Instructions

Cook the Beef:

1. In a large, deep skillet or pot, add ground beef with 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and black pepper

2. Cook beef for 5 minutes on medium-high heat, breaking it into small pieces with a spatula

Build the Base:
3. Add diced onion, minced garlic, butter, sun-dried tomatoes, sun-dried tomato oil, and tomato paste to the beef
4. Sauté everything together for 5 minutes

Add Pasta and Liquids:
5. Add the uncooked pasta, beef broth, milk, and remaining seasonings (1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, and 1½ teaspoons salt)
6. Mix everything together and spread pasta evenly in the pot

Cook the Pasta:
7. Bring mixture to a simmer on the stovetop
8. Cover with lid and cook for 10-12 minutes on medium-low heat
9. At 10 minutes, remove lid, stir, and check if pasta is done

Finish the Dish:
10. Remove from heat and add the fresh spinach, stirring until it wilts into the pasta
11. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the pasta and give it a final mix
12. Serve immediately while hot