One-Skillet Beef and Spinach Garlic Penne
Hearty ground beef and tender baby spinach simmered in rich garlic marinara tossed with whole-wheat penne. A quick 30-minute crowd-pleaser tailored for effortless weekday family dining.
Prep
10 min
Cook
20 min
Total
30 min
Makes
5 servings
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Cortney + Lila
Cortney created this recipe with Lila and shared it with the perimenopause community.
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthSteadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
10 min
Cook
20 min
Total
30 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Oven · Large skillet · Large pot
Time saver
Prep the vegetables and measure pantry ingredients earlier in the day to shorten cook time.
Do these three things first
- 1Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 2Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
- 3Read through the steps once before you begin
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 9 steps complete
Next: Bring a large pot of salted water…
- 01
Bring a large pot of salted water…
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add whole-wheat penne pasta and cook for 9 to 11 minutes until al dente, then drain and set aside.
Look for: al dente, then drain and set aside
Tap card to mark done - 02
Heat olive oil in a large skillet…
Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat at 350°F (175°C).
Tap card to mark done - 03
Add lean ground beef and minced garlic…
Add lean ground beef and minced garlic clove to the skillet. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking the beef into small crumbles with a wooden spoon, until browned throughout and no pink remains.
Look for: browned throughout and no pink remains
Tap card to mark done - 04
Drain any excess fat from the skillet…
Drain any excess fat from the skillet if needed, then turn the heat down to medium-low.
Tap card to mark done - 05
Pour marinara sauce into the skillet with…
Pour marinara sauce into the skillet with the cooked beef and stir continuously for 2 to 3 minutes until warmed through and simmering gently.
Look for: warmed through and simmering gently
Tap card to mark done - 06
Add fresh baby spinach to the beef…
Add fresh baby spinach to the beef mixture in batches, stirring for 2 minutes until wilted and soft.
Look for: wilted and soft
Tap card to mark done - 07
Toss the drained pasta into the skillet
Toss the drained pasta into the skillet, coating evenly with the sauce and beef mixture.
Tap card to mark done - 08
Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top and stir…
Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top and stir thoroughly to combine before removing from heat.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
Tap card to mark done - 09
Portion into 5 equal bowls and serve…
Portion into 5 equal bowls and serve warm. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
Tap card to mark done
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