Friday Night Pickup (for dinner, that is)

[lauraanne_gilman]

 Because I was cranky and out of sorts and it was suggested that maybe I needed protein, quickly.... (before I bit someone's nose off)

 

 

1/2 lb high quality ground beef (80% lean)

1 yellow zucchini, quartered

1 red pepper, chopped

1 yellow pepper, chopped

1 bunch spinach, washed & shredded

1 cup low-fat ricotta

2 cups (cooked and still warm) cut pasta

 

Brown the meat, drain and set aside.  Using the drippings, sautee the peppers and zucchini until soft (I added garlic powder, salt and fresh ground pepper), then turn the heat off and drop the spinach on top, to allow the residual heat to wilt the spinach.

 

Mix the pasta with the ricotta, toss until the cheese melts slightly around the pasta, then add the vegetables and toss, then add the beef and toss again.  Serve.

 

(you can add seasonings to taste, after, but I thought this came out perfect as-is)

 

Feeds two.  Or four not-so-hungry.  Or one male teenager.