Quick Beef Mince and Spinach Pasta
An Italian-inspired dish that combines hearty beef mince with fresh spinach and pasta, offering a swift yet flavorful meal for busy weeknights. This dish seamlessly blends the richness of the beef with the vibrant, earthy spinach, punctuated by aromatic herbs for an irresistibly savory experience.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
250 g ground beef (minced beef) - preferably grass-fed
200 g spinach - fresh, washed and roughly chopped
300 g penne pasta - or fusilli
2 tbsp olive oil - extra virgin for best flavor
1 medium onion - finely diced
2 cloves garlic - minced
1 tsp dried oregano
1 pinch salt - to taste
1 pinch ground black pepper - freshly ground 
30 g Parmesan cheese - finely grated, plus extra for serving
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, about 8-10 minutes, then drain and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté, stirring frequently, until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic to the onions and sauté for an additional minute, until fragrant.
- Increase the heat to medium-high and add the beef mince. Cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned all over, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the oregano, season with salt and pepper, then fold in the chopped spinach. Cook until the spinach wilts and all ingredients are well combined, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the cooked pasta to the beef mixture, gently tossing to coat the pasta with the sauce. Stir in the 30g of grated Parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve warm, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, replace beef mince with cooked lentils or chopped mushrooms. To add a touch of heat, incorporate a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic.
Nutrition
Calories: 508kcalCarbohydrates: 62gProtein: 26gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 47mgSodium: 228mgPotassium: 714mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 4763IUVitamin C: 17mgCalcium: 156mgIron: 4mg
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