Italian Beef and Spinach Pie

By dcarriger56

Ingredients

• 1 10-ounce package frozen spinach, thawed
• 1 unbaked 9-inch pastry shell
• 1/2 pound lean ground beef
• 1/4 pound mild italian turkey sausage
• 3/4 cup chopped red and /or yellow sweet pepper
• 1/2 cup sliced fresh muchrooms
• 1 glove garlic, minced
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup tomato paste
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried italian seasoning crushed
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup light ricotta cheese
• 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese ( 3 ounces)
• 1 cup chopped tomato
• Fresh oregano ( option)

Details

Servings 8

Preparation

Step 1

1Drain thawed spinach well, pressing out exess liquid; set aside. Line pastry shell with a double thickness of foil. Bake in a 450 F. oven for 8 minutes. Remove foil. Bake for 4to 5 minutes more or until set and dry; remove from oven
temperture to 350 F.
2. In a large skilett cook the beef, sauage, sweet pepper , mushrooms, and garlic until meat is on longer pink and vegetable are tender. Drain off fat. Stir in the water, tomato paste, Italian seasoning and salt. Bring to a boiling ; reduced heat. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Meadwhile, in a medium bowl stir together spinach, ricotta cheese and 1/4 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Spoon the spinach mixture into baked pastry shell. Top with the meat mixture. To prevent overbrowing, cover the edge of pastry with foil. Bake in the 350 F.oven for 45 minutes. Remove foil. Top pie with tomato and remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake for 2 minutes more or until heated though and cheese is melted. Let stand for 10 minutes. If desired, garnish with fresh oregano.