All of the ingredients in this festive meal can be found in your pantry or freezer, making it a convenient wintertime treat. However, try to break up a frozen block of ground meat before adding it to the pot. There’s no need to defrost a package of frozen spinach. Let it sit on the counter to soften while preparing other ingredients. Cut it into chunks using a sharp knife, then stir the chunks into the meat mixture. Fresh spinach can be chopped slightly and mixed with the meat, or kept whole and layered on top.
Recipe information
Yield
serves 2
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 450°F.
Step 2
Spray the inside and lid of a cast-iron Dutch oven with olive oil.
Step 3
Scatter the pasta in the pot.
Step 4
Drain the liquid from the tomatoes into a measuring cup. If necessary, add enough water to make 2/3 cup liquid. Reserve the tomatoes.
Step 5
Add one-third of the garlic, a little salt and pepper, and the olive oil to the tomato liquid. Pour the liquid into the pot and stir to make the pasta an even layer.
Step 6
Mix the tomatoes with the rest of the garlic, the onion, basil and oregano, spinach, and ground meat in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 7
Drop forkfuls of the tomato-meat mixture evenly over the pasta without mixing together.
Step 8
Cover and bake for 45 minutes, or until 3 minutes after the aroma of a fully cooked meal escapes the oven. Serve immediately.
nutrition information
Step 9
Calories: 425
Step 10
Protein: 21g
Step 11
Carbohydrates: 51g
Step 12
Fat: 14g
Step 13
Cholesterol: 43mg
Step 14
Sodium: 512mg
Step 15
Fiber: 5g
