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Southwest Pasta Bake

SUBMITTED BY: Carol Lepak

"Fat-free cream cheese and reduced-fat cheddar make this creamy casserole lower in fat and calories. It's a good way to get our kids to eat spinach in 'disguise'. --Carol Lepak of Sheboygan, Wisconsin"
RECIPE RATING:
The reviewer gave this recipe 13 stars. This recipe average a 4.2 star rating.
Read Reviews (12)
PREP TIME  15 Min
COOK TIME  30 Min
READY IN  45 Min

SERVINGS

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Servings
 

INGREDIENTS

  • 8 ounces uncooked penne pasta
  • 1 (8 ounce) package fat-free cream cheese, cubed
  • 1/2 cup fat-free milk
  • 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 (16 ounce) jar picante sauce
  • 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 cup shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese
  • 1 (2.25 ounce) can sliced ripe olives, drained
  • 1/4 cup sliced green onions

DIRECTIONS

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add milk; beat until smooth. stir in spinach and oregano; set aside. In a nonstick skillet, cook beef and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the picante sauce, tomato sauce, tomato paste, chili powder and cumin; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Drain pasta; stir into meat mixture.
  2. In a 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish coated with nonstick cooking spray, layer half of the meat mixture and all of the spinach mixture. Top with remaining meat mixture. Cover and bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes. uncover; sprinkle with cheese. Bake 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with olives and onions. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

FOOTNOTE

  • Nutritional Analysis: One serving (1 cup) equals 333 calories, 10 g fat (4 g saturated fat), 41 mg cholesterol, 996 mg sodium, 38 g carbohydrate, 4 g fiber, 26 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 3 vegetable, 1-1/2 starch.
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REVIEWS

The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Apr. 26, 2007 by Foodie
I would give this 4 1/2 stars. It was good. LIke the reviews said, good way to hide spinach.... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 3 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 24, 2007 by Caroline C
Made as written, this is really blah. I ended up adding way more seasoning to the meat mixture... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 2, 2007 by Molly
My husband loved this recipe, and I liked it okay...the spinach & picante flavor combination... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 3 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Oct. 15, 2007 by Kelly
It's kind of like Mexican Lasagna. I used rotini instead of penne (it's what I had) and a 16... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Aug. 27, 2007 by FBURGAGGIE00
This was so tasty! I wasn't so sure when putting it all together. I don't believe I've ever... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Jul. 6, 2007 by Marcie
I really liked this, I put sour cream on top and ate it for lunch the next day. MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Apr. 25, 2007 by Vanessa L
This is a family favorite for us, the only thing I've changed is adding extra cheese on top... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Apr. 16, 2007 by SYDLY
YUM! I only made a few changes: whole wheat pasta, salsa instead of picante (couldn't find... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Mar. 26, 2007 by ExM
It wasn't all ingredients I had sitting in my cupboard, but it was worth going to the store. ... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Mar. 7, 2007 by MIHAELA