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Are you searching for easy hamburger meat recipes that bring comfort food vibes without spending hours in the kitchen? This Beef Florentine recipe is your answer. Combining seasoned ground beef, tender egg noodles, creamy spinach, and melted mozzarella cheese, this dish delivers restaurant-quality flavor in just 30 minutes. It’s one of those quick dinner ideas that transforms ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.
Whether you’re looking for healthy dinner recipes or quick and easy dinner recipes for busy weeknights, this ground beef casserole checks all the boxes. The layers of savory meat sauce, nutritious spinach mixture, and gooey cheese create a satisfying meal that even picky eaters will love. Let’s dive into how you can make this family-favorite dinner tonight.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Beef Florentine Recipe
This recipe stands out among dinner ideas with ground beef for several compelling reasons. First, it’s incredibly versatile you can easily adapt it to your family’s preferences or dietary needs. Second, it’s budget-friendly, using affordable ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. Third, it makes excellent leftovers, so you can meal prep for the week ahead.
The combination of Italian-inspired flavors with the convenience of a one-dish casserole makes this one of the best easy meals with ground beef. The spinach adds a nutritious boost, transforming this from a simple meat and pasta dish into a well-rounded meal. Plus, the creamy cottage cheese layer adds richness without excessive calories, making it a smart choice among healthy dinner recipes.
Essential Kitchen Equipment
Before we start cooking, let’s make sure you have the right tools. For this recipe, you’ll need a large pot for boiling the noodles, a reliable frying pan for browning the ground beef, and a spacious casserole dish for baking. Having quality kitchen utensils like a wooden spoon and spatula will make the cooking process smoother.
A good cutting board and sharp chef’s knife are essential for chopping the garlic and onion. You’ll also want measuring cups and spoons for precise ingredient portions, and mixing bowls for combining the spinach mixture. Don’t forget your trusty oven for that perfect melted cheese finish!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Main Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Medium egg noodles | 2 cups | Can substitute with penne or rotini |
| Ground beef | 1½ pounds | 80/20 blend recommended |
| Garlic cloves | 2, chopped | Fresh is best |
| Dried oregano | 1 teaspoon | Italian seasoning works too |
| Salt | ½ teaspoon | Adjust to taste |
| Black pepper | ¼ teaspoon | Freshly ground preferred |
| Tomato sauce | 2 (8 oz) cans | No-salt-added option available |
| Water | ½ cup | Thins the sauce perfectly |
Cheese and Spinach Layer
| Ingredient | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen chopped spinach | 10 oz package | Must be thawed and drained |
| Cottage cheese | 8 oz container | Low-fat option works well |
| Onion, chopped | ¼ cup | Yellow or white onion |
| Parmesan cheese, grated | 2 tablespoons | Freshly grated is ideal |
| Mozzarella cheese, shredded | 8 oz | For that melty top layer |
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Preparing the Noodles
1. Fill your large pot with water, add a generous pinch of salt, and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
2. Add the egg noodles and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they reach al dente texture tender but still slightly firm to the bite.
3. Using a colander, drain the noodles thoroughly and set them aside. Don’t rinse them the starch helps the sauce cling better.
Browning the Beef
4. While the noodles cook, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
5. Heat your frying pan over medium heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with your kitchen utensils as it cooks.
6. Cook the beef for 7-8 minutes until evenly browned with no pink remaining. Drain excess fat from the pan.
7. Add the chopped garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper to the beef. Stir well and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
8. Pour in both cans of tomato sauce and ½ cup water. Stir to combine, then remove from heat.
9. Add the drained noodles to the beef mixture and fold everything together until well combined.
Creating the Spinach Layer
10. In one of your mixing bowls, combine the thawed and drained spinach, cottage cheese, chopped onion, and Parmesan cheese.
11. Mix thoroughly using a spoon or spatula until all ingredients are evenly distributed. The mixture should be creamy but not watery make sure you’ve squeezed out excess moisture from the spinach.
Assembling the Casserole
12. Spread half of the beef and noodle mixture evenly across the bottom of your greased casserole dish.
13. Spread the entire spinach and cheese mixture over the beef layer, creating an even second layer.
14. Top with the remaining beef and noodle mixture, spreading it carefully to cover the spinach layer completely.
Baking to Perfection
15. Place the uncovered casserole in your preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes.
16. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
17. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and beginning to turn golden brown.
18. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the layers to set and makes serving easier.
Pro Tips for the Best Results
For ground meat recipes for dinner like this one, choosing the right beef matters. An 80/20 ground beef blend provides the best balance of flavor and moisture without being too greasy. If you prefer leaner options, 90/10 works too, but consider adding a tablespoon of olive oil to prevent dryness.
When draining the spinach, this step is crucial place the thawed spinach in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze hard to remove as much liquid as possible. Excess moisture will make your casserole watery and affect the texture of the cheese layer.
Don’t skip the resting period after baking. Those final 5 minutes allow the cheese to set slightly, making it much easier to cut clean portions. This is especially important if you’re serving guests or photographing your creation for social media.
For meal prep enthusiasts, this recipe is one of those easy meals with ground beef that refrigerates beautifully. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, or refresh the entire casserole in a 325°F oven for 20 minutes.
Customization Ideas
This recipe is wonderfully adaptable to different tastes and dietary needs. For those exploring ground chicken recipes as an alternative, swap the beef for ground turkey or chicken just add an extra tablespoon of olive oil since these meats are leaner.
Want to boost the nutrition? Add diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini to the beef mixture. These vegetables blend seamlessly with the Italian flavors and add extra vitamins without changing the cooking time.
If you’re looking for lazy dinners that require even less effort, prepare this casserole ahead of time. Assemble everything through step 14, cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, add 5-10 minutes to the cooking time since you’re starting from cold.
For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes or use hot Italian sausage instead of half the ground beef. You can also experiment with different cheese combinations try adding ricotta to the spinach layer or finishing with a blend of provolone and mozzarella.
Serving Suggestions
This Beef Florentine serves 6-8 people as a main course, making it perfect for family dinners or casual entertaining. Pair it with a crisp green salad dressed with balsamic vinaigrette to balance the richness of the casserole. Garlic bread or crusty Italian bread makes an excellent side for soaking up any extra sauce.
For a complete Italian-inspired meal, start with a simple antipasto platter featuring olives, marinated artichokes, and sliced salami. Finish with a light dessert like tiramisu or fresh fruit with whipped cream.
Nutritional Information
Each serving of this hearty casserole provides approximately 420 calories, 28g of protein, 24g of carbohydrates, and 23g of fat. The spinach contributes vitamin A, vitamin K, and iron, while the cheese provides calcium. Using lean ground beef and low-fat cottage cheese can reduce the calorie count by about 80 calories per serving.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover Beef Florentine in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, microwave individual portions on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through. For oven reheating, cover the casserole with foil and warm at 325°F for 20-25 minutes.
This dish also freezes well for up to 3 months. Wrap individual portions or the entire casserole tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Frozen portions can go straight from freezer to oven just add 15-20 minutes to the baking time and keep covered with foil for the first half of cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Absolutely! Replace the ground beef with plant-based ground meat alternatives, extra mushrooms, or a combination of lentils and diced vegetables. The cooking process remains the same.
What if I don’t have cottage cheese?
Ricotta cheese works perfectly as a substitute and actually provides a slightly creamier texture. You can also use a combination of cream cheese and sour cream for a different flavor profile.
Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen?
Yes, but you’ll need about 1 pound of fresh spinach. Sauté it in a pan until wilted, then squeeze out the excess moisture just as you would with frozen spinach. Fresh spinach will reduce significantly in volume.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Not as written, but it’s easy to adapt. Use gluten-free pasta in place of regular egg noodles. All other ingredients are naturally gluten-free, so no other substitutions are needed.
How do I prevent the casserole from being watery?
The key is thoroughly draining both the cooked pasta and the thawed spinach. For the spinach, squeeze it in a clean kitchen towel until no more liquid comes out. Don’t skip draining the fat from the browned beef either.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes! This recipe doubles well. You can either make two casseroles (great for freezing one) or use a very large baking dish. If using one large dish, you may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
What’s the best way to reheat this without drying it out?
Add a tablespoon of water or tomato sauce before reheating, and cover with a damp paper towel if microwaving or foil if using the oven. This creates steam and keeps the dish moist.
Can I prepare this in advance?
Yes, assemble the casserole up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate before baking. When ready to cook, let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes, then bake as directed, adding 5-10 minutes to account for the cold start.
Final Thoughts
This Beef Florentine recipe proves that quick and easy dinner recipes don’t have to sacrifice flavor or nutrition. With its layers of seasoned ground beef, creamy spinach mixture, and melted cheese, it delivers comfort food satisfaction while sneaking in vegetables. It’s the kind of recipe that becomes a regular in your dinner rotation because it’s reliable, delicious, and adaptable.
Whether you’re feeding a hungry family on a busy weeknight, meal prepping for the week ahead, or looking for crowd-pleasing dishes for potlucks, this casserole rises to the occasion. The best part? It tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for those who love having delicious leftovers on hand.
Give this recipe a try tonight and discover why it’s one of the most versatile hamburger meat recipes in your collection. Your family will thank you, and your weeknight dinner stress will disappear!
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PrintBeef Florentine Recipe: Easy 30-Minute Comfort Food (Family Favorite!)
A comforting Italian-inspired casserole combining seasoned ground beef, tender egg noodles, creamy spinach mixture, and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
2 cups medium egg noodles
1½ pounds ground beef
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
½ cup water
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 (8 ounce) container cottage cheese
¼ cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
3. In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until evenly cooked, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat.
4. Add chopped garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper to the beef. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Stir in tomato sauce and water. Remove from heat and add the cooked noodles. Mix well.
6. In a mixing bowl, combine spinach, cottage cheese, onion, and Parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly.
7. Spread half of the noodle mixture in a greased casserole dish.
8. Layer the entire spinach mixture over the beef layer evenly.
9. Top with remaining noodle mixture, spreading to cover completely.
10. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes.
11. Remove from oven and sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top.
12. Return to oven and bake for 10 more minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
13. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Make sure to thoroughly drain the spinach by squeezing it in a clean kitchen towel to prevent a watery casserole.
This dish can be assembled 24 hours in advance and refrigerated before baking.
Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
For a leaner option, use 90/10 ground beef or substitute with ground turkey or chicken.
This recipe freezes well for up to 3 months when properly wrapped.