Hearty Penne Beef

From Taste of Home's Simple & Delicious



Ingredients:
1-3/4 cups uncooked penne pasta
1 pound ground beef
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 can (15 ounces) tomato puree
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) beef broth
1-1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups chopped fresh spinach
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Directions:
Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, cook beef and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the tomato puree, broth, Italian seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper.

Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes or until slightly thickened. Add spinach; cook for 1-2 minutes or until spinach is wilted.

Drain pasta; stir into beef mixture. Sprinkle with cheese; cover and cook for 3-4 minutes or until cheese is melted. Yield: 4 servings.

Comments:
I left the spinach out of this dish. I just wasn't in the spinach mood. It turned out a little runny, but I don't know that the spinach would have sopped much of the juice up. I think it needs some thickening agent to go from soupy to saucy. I mean it has a can of beef broth and a can of tomatoes. That's a lot of juice with nowhere to go since the pasta is pre-cooked. I'll play around with it next time.