Southwest Pasta Bake

By CandyH

Ingredients

• 8 ounces uncooked penne pasta
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 pound 90% Lean Ground Beef
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 jar (16 ounces) picante sauce
• 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
• 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
• 1/4 cup sliced green onions

Preparation

Step 1

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Beat in milk. Stir in spinach and oregano; set aside.
2. In a nonstick skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. 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.
3. In a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray, layer half of the meat mixture and all of the spinach mixture. Top with remaining meat mixture.
4. Cover and bake at 350° 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. Yield: 8 servings.