142.6...Ground Beef and Pasta Casserole

Looking for an easy dish that only uses one pot?? I have just the one: Ground Beef and Pasta Casserole. It came together pretty quickly and was a hit with the family. The veggies were hidden so even my son liked it. Lol.

Ground Beef and Pasta Casserole (Serves 6)

Recipe from Cooking Light, March 2016

Ingredients:

2 small onions, peeled and quartered

2 large carrots, peeled and cut into 3-inch pieces

1 Tbsp olive oil

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 Tbsp dried Italian seasoning

1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper

1/2 tsp. salt, divided

1 pound extra-lean ground sirloin

3 1/2 cups unsalted chicken stock

6 Tbsp sliced fresh basil, divided

2 Tbsp unsalted tomato paste

1 Tbsp red wine vinegar

12 ounces uncooked whole-wheat chiocciole or rigatoni pasta

1 (26.46-ounce) carton strained tomatoes (such as Pomi)

4 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/8-inch-thick slices (I used shredded)

1 ounce Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated (about 1/4 cup)

Directions:

1. Place onions in a food processor; pulse until finely chopped. Add carrots; pulse until finely chopped.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

3. Heat a large high-sided sauté pan over medium heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add onion mixture; cook 4 minutes. Add garlic; cook 2 minutes. Add Italian seasoning, red pepper, and 1/4 tsp. salt. Add beef; cook 5 minutes. Stir in stock, 4 tablespoons basil, tomato paste, vinegar, pasta and tomatoes. Bring mixture to a boil; cook 13 minutes or until pasta is almost done, stirring frequently. Stir in remaining 1/4 tsp. salt.

4. Arrange mozzarella over pasta mixture. Sprinkle with Parmigiano-Reggiano; bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until pasta is done. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons of basil.

Printable Recipe

Last night my husband wasn’t home so I had a lazy dinner.

It was perfect. It was nice to be able to pull it out of the fridge and sit down and eat it. I may have to do that again soon….

Good thing I went to the grocery store yesterday. Not only did I buy sushi for my dinner but I bought my eggs too!

Yay!

I took the kids to school, then headed to Palm Desert to hang out with my mom. We went to my favorite Mexican restaurant of all time, Fresh Agave, for lunch. 

Their margaritas are perfect. 

So is their table-side guacamole:

I ordered the Fish Ceviche to go with the chips and guacamole and it was a great move.

A perfect lunch, if you ask me!

I’m staying the night here and am already looking forward to dinner…..:)

What’s the best Mexican restaurant where you live?

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