Skip to main content

Pasta Tricolore

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

Olive oil spray
2 cups pasta (penne, farfalle, etc.)
One 14-ounce can tomatoes
1 to 4 garlic cloves, minced
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon olive oil
1/4 medium onion, chopped
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
One 10-ounce package frozen spinach, or 2 large handfuls fresh
1/2 to 3/4 pound ground beef or turkey

Preparation

  1. 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.

  2. 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

Glorious One-Pot Meals
Read More
Khao niaow ma muang, or steamed coconut sticky rice with ripe mango, is a classic in Thai cuisine—and you can make it at home.
With just a handful of ingredients, this old-fashioned egg custard is the little black dress of dinner party desserts—simple and effortlessly chic.
With rich chocolate flavor and easy customization, this hot cocoa recipe is just the one you want to get you through winter.
This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.
A slow-simmering, comforting braise delivering healing to both body and soul.
Crunchy and crowd-pleasing, this salad can be prepared in advance and customized to your heart’s content.
Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.
Summer’s best produce cooked into one vibrant, silky, flavor-packed dish.