Southwest Pasta Bake

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4.6 of 5 (15)

Nutritional Info

Servings Per Recipe: 8
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 319.7

Total Fat: 10.0 g
Cholesterol: 46.2 mg
Sodium: 644.0 mg
Total Carbs: 31.9 g
Dietary Fiber: 5.7 g
Protein: 23.0 g

View full nutritional breakdown of Southwest Pasta Bake calories by ingredient

Introduction

I got this recipe from the Light & Tasty magazine - its a comforting casserole. I prepare the recipe into two baking dishes (4x9) and freeze one for another night. The nutritional info I recorded uses reduced-fat cream cheese and milk - you can make it with the fat-free that the recipe calls for and save some fat & calories. I got this recipe from the Light & Tasty magazine - its a comforting casserole. I prepare the recipe into two baking dishes (4x9) and freeze one for another night. The nutritional info I recorded uses reduced-fat cream cheese and milk - you can make it with the fat-free that the recipe calls for and save some fat & calories.

Minutes to Prepare: 30

Minutes to Cook: 30

Number of Servings: 8

Ingredients

8 oz uncooked penne

1 pkg (8oz) fat-free cream cheese, cubed

1/2 cup fat-free milk

1 pkg (10oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed & squeezed dry

1 tsp oregano

1 pound lean ground beef

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 jar (16oz) picante sauce

1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce

1 can (6oz) tomato paste

2 tsp chili powder

1 tsp ground cumin

1 cup (4oz) shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese

1 can (2 1/4 oz) sliced ripe olives, drained

1/4 cup sliced green onions

Directions

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 & oregano; set aside. In a non-stick skillet, cook beef & garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stire in the picante sauce, tomato sauce & paste, chili powder & cumin; bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered for about 5 minutes. Drain pasta; stir into meat mixture.

In a 13x9x2 baking dish coated with non-stick cooking spray, layer half of the meat mixture and then all of the spinach mixture. Top with remaining meat mixture. Cover and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Uncover & sprinkle with cheese. Bake until cheese melts. Sprinkle with onions and olives.

Makes 8 servings.

Number of Servings: 8

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user WIIGIRL70.