Rich, comforting pasta with hearty meat, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and melted cheeses in a creamy sauce.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz elbow macaroni
→ Proteins
02 - 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained and chopped
07 - 3 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
→ Liquids
08 - 3 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
09 - 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice
→ Dairy
10 - 1 cup heavy cream
11 - 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
12 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
→ Seasonings and Pantry
13 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
15 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
16 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
17 - Salt and black pepper to taste
18 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or deep skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and bell pepper, sautéing for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
02 - Add ground beef or Italian sausage to the pot, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
03 - Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, dried oregano, basil, smoked paprika, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Cook for 1 minute to release the aromatic oils.
04 - Add diced tomatoes with juice, broth, heavy cream, and macaroni to the pot. Stir thoroughly to combine and bring to a gentle boil.
05 - Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cook until pasta reaches al dente texture and sauce thickens slightly.
06 - Stir in chopped baby spinach and cook for 2 minutes until fully wilted.
07 - Add grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella cheeses, stirring constantly until completely melted and the sauce becomes creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
08 - Transfer to serving bowls while hot. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired.
