Southwest Pasta Bake

By laceloulou

Ingredients

• 8 ounces uncooked penne or medium tube pasta
• 1 package fat-free cream cheese, cubed
• 1/2 cup fat-free milk
• 1 package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 jar picante sauce
• 1 can tomato sauce
• 1 can tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
• 1 can sliced ripe olives, drained
• 1/4 cup sliced green onions

Details

Servings 8

Preparation

Step 1

cook pasta according to package directions. meanwhile, in a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. add milk; beat until smooth. stir in spinach and oregano; set aside. in a nonstick skillet, cook beef and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. stir in the picante sauce, tomato sauce, tomato paste, chili powder and cumin; bring to boil. reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. drain pasta; stir into meat mixture. in a 13 in x 9 in x 2 in baking dish coated with nonstick cooking spray, layer half of the meat mixture and all of the spinach mixture. top with remaining meat mixture. cover and bake at 350 F for 30 minutes. uncover; sprinkle with cheese. bake 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. sprinkle with olives and onions. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.