Beef Spinach Hot Dish
A hearty beef and spinach hot dish featuring savory ground meats, fresh spinach, and melted cheeses, perfect for comforting family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef ⓘ
- 1 lb. ground sausage ⓘ
- 2 chopped medium onions ⓘ
- 2 cloves garlic, minced ⓘ
- 1 tsp. dried basil ⓘ
- 1 tsp. dried oregano ⓘ
- 2 (8 oz.) cans mushrooms, drained ⓘ
- butter ⓘ
- pepper to taste ⓘ
- 1 (10 3/4 oz.) can condensed cream of celery soup ⓘ
- 2 (10 oz.) packages chopped spinach, thawed ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. uncooked rice ⓘ
- 2 c. dairy sour cream ⓘ
- 1 (12 oz.) package shredded Mozzarella cheese ⓘ
- 1 c. grated Parmesan cheese ⓘ
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and ground sausage with minced garlic. Drain excess fat.
- In a small skillet, brown chopped onions in butter with dried basil and oregano.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked meats, browned onions, drained mushrooms, condensed cream of celery soup, thawed chopped spinach, cooked rice, sour cream, shredded Mozzarella cheese, and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well.
- Transfer the mixture to an oblong baking dish.
- Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded Mozzarella cheese and dot with butter.
- Bake for about 40 minutes or until slightly browned and bubbly.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider substituting the ground sausage with Italian sausage for a spicier kick. You can also use fresh spinach instead of frozen if you prefer. To save time, prepare the meat mixture ahead of time and refrigerate it overnight. This dish is similar to other hearty American recipes like Mimi'S Hamburger Casserole, perfect for family gatherings.
Serving Suggestions
This Beef Spinach Hot Dish is perfect served with a simple side salad or garlic bread to complement the richness of the dish. For a complete meal, pair it with roasted vegetables or steamed broccoli. It also pairs beautifully with Scalloped Meatballs for a comforting dinner spread.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover the dish with foil and warm it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes or until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions for a quicker option.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Beef Spinach Hot Dish contains roughly 1670 calories, with 37g protein, 171g carbohydrates, and 100g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (306% of the Daily Value), iron (222% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (128% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin C. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1621mg per serving (70% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this hot dish ahead of time?
Yes, this dish can be assembled in advance. Prepare the mixture, transfer it to the baking dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, add extra cooking time to ensure it's heated thoroughly.
What can I use instead of cream of celery soup?
If you don't have cream of celery soup, you can substitute it with cream of mushroom soup or a homemade white sauce. Just ensure that it has a similar creamy consistency for the best results.
Can I freeze the Beef Spinach Hot Dish?
Yes, this dish freezes well. Assemble it in a freezer-safe container, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).