Quick and Easy Pasta Casserole

Tonight was a very busy night for me with a doctors appointment at 4.30pm and my Zumba class at 7pm so needless to say something quick to prepare was required and I did not want to buy takeaway because it's easy to do that but never what we want and not very often do we enjoy our purchases as much as home cooked meals.

I came across this recipe when menu planning and thought it would be perfect. I know pasta is always a hit with the kids but was a little worried about the taste due to the simplicity of the ingredients.

But from the first mouthful the kids had there was silence so I knew it must be good. In fact the kids loved it and for something quite simple I thought it was nice too. There was a faint hint of the chillis without much heat and the added vegetables made it a one dish dinner without having to cook extra side vegetables, but your could if you wanted too. Saying this made the serving sizes were large and very filling. A perfect cook, serve and eat meal - nothing extra really required to cook.

Quick and Easy Pasta Casserole

(recipe adapted from WW Recipe Collection 2000)

Serves: 8

Points per serve: 7.5

375 grams pasta shapes

cooking spray

1 teaspoon minced chilli

1 teaspoon crushed garlic

1 onion, sliced

1 red capsicum, sliced and halved

500 grams extra lean beef mince

1/2 cup tomato paste

800 grams tinned diced tomatoes

1 x 440 gram tin corn kernels, drained

100 grams baby spinach leaves

salt

freshly ground black pepper

200 grams grated reduced fat tasty cheese

Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Coat a large lasagne or baking dish with cooking spray.

Cook the pasta according to the packet directions. Drain.

Coat a large frying pan with cooking spray, heat and add chilli, garlic and onions. Cook until the onions are soft. Add the mince and cook, stirring, until mince is browned. Add capsicums and cook for a further 2 minutes.

Stir in the tomato paste, tomatoes, corn, spinach leaves and pasta. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.

Spoon half the mince mixture into the prepared dish and sprinkle with half the cheese. Repeat with remaining mince and cheese.

Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and dish is heated through.

(click here for a printable version of this recipe)