Beef Casserole Italiano

Total Time: 40 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon parsley flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano leaves
• 1 teaspoon basil leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 (10 ounce) packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained well
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, slices

Recipe

• 1 brown beef and onion; drain off fat.
• 2 stir in the tomato sauce, parsley, oregano, basil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper.
• 3 simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• 4 meanwhile, combine spinach, ricotta cheese and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• 5 spoon spinach mixture around edges of a 13x9x2 inch baking dish; pour beef mixture into center.
• 6 cut each mozzarella slice into 3 strips and arrange in a lattice pattern over meat.
• 7 bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.