Beef and broccoli pasta bake

What’s more warming than a pasta bake? This delicious beef and broccoli pasta bake recipe is high in calcium, fibre, iron and protein and is packed full of vegetables making it a healthy lunch or dinner option for the family.

Serves: 4

Time to make: 35 mins

Ingredients

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1 medium capsicum
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium red onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
400g lean beef mince
600g vine-ripened tomatoes, coarsely chopped
400g can no-added-salt chopped tomatoes
250g wholemeal penne
2 cups broccoli florets or 1 bunch broccolini, chopped
⅓ cup grated parmesan, plus 2 tablespoons shaved parmesan, to serve
3 cups mixed salad leaves
1 Lebanese cucumber, halved, sliced
1 ½ tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Instructions

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Thinly slice half the capsicum. Set aside for salad. Finely chop remaining half. In a large saucepan, heat olive oil over high. Sauté onion, garlic and chopped capsicum, stirring, for 5 minutes, or until softened.
Add beef and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes, or until browned. Add all tomatoes and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, or until sauce thickens and tomatoes break down.
Meanwhile, in a pot of boiling water, cook pasta until al dente. Add broccoli for last minute of cooking time. Drain. Stir pasta and broccoli into tomato sauce. Lightly grease an 8-cup-capacity baking dish. Add pasta-broccoli mixture.
Preheat grill. Sprinkle pasta bake with grated parmesan. Grill for 5-10 minutes, or until cheese is golden.
Meanwhile, combine salad ingredients with shaved parmesan and vinegar. Serve pasta with salad.

Variations

Make it gluten free: Use gluten-free pasta.

Nutrition Info (per serve)

Calories 530 cal

Kilojoules 2220 kJ

Protein 38 g

Total fat 15 g

Saturated fat 5 g

Carbohydrates 55 g

Sugar 14 g

Dietary fibre 13 g

Sodium 160 mg

Calcium 250 mg

Iron 6 mg

Note: This nutrition analysis is a guide only. Nutrition composition will vary depending on the exact ingredients used. See our guides on your optimal daily nutrition intake, and supermarket shopping.