My version of this classic meal uses a combination of onions, garlic, baby spinach, ground venison and a blend of dried Italian seasonings. A winning combo of flavor all on its own. Mix the meat with lightly buttered pasta noodles and top with freshly sliced mozzarella cheese and you have a Dish that’s a sure-fire way of getting attention at the dinner table.
Prep Time20 minutesmins
Cook Time25 minutesmins
Servings: 4
Equipment
8x8 baking dish
Ingredients
1lbground venison
1tbspolive oil
1medium onion, finely chopped
1clove garlic,minced
1 cupbaby spinach,packed tight
2tsporegano
1tspthyme
1tspgranulated garlic powder
1/2 tspkosher salt
2cupsGemelli pasta,uncooked
3tbspunsalted butter
2tbsptomato paste
5slices of fresh mozzarella cheese,1/4 inch thick
Instructions
Heat oven to 375 degrees.
Boil two cups of dry pasta as instructed on the package. Drain and set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, heat a skillet over medium heat and add oil, 1 tablespoon butter, onions and garlic. Cook until the onions soften, about 5 minutes. Add the ground venison to the skillet and cook until browned. Add the baby spinach to the ground meat and stir to combine. Season with the oregano, thyme, garlic powder and salt. Remove from heat.
Add the cooked pasta, tomato paste and the remaining butter into an 8x8 baking dish stirring everything together. Cover the pasta with the ground venison and top with the mozzarella cheese slices.
Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is fully melted.
Notes
If you want more sauce in your Burger Helper, add a cup of pasta sauce to the noodles prior to baking.