Pay It Forward Casserole–an Instant Pot casserole combining seasoned ground beef, mushrooms, noodles, and tomatoes with melty cheese and spinach for a family-friendly dinner. It makes two pans…one for now and one to give away (or save for later).
Pay It Forward Casserole
This recipe is a good way to make 2 dinners at one time. You can pay it forward and pass along one of the casseroles or you can save one for later in the freezer. It’s an easy one pot meal with protein, carbs and veggies all in one pot. This makes clean up a breeze!
Ingredients/Substitution Ideas
- Lean ground beef
- Onion
- Mushrooms–optional
- Garlic powder
- Italian seasoning
- Black pepper
- Kosher salt
- Beef broth–or chicken broth
- Mrs. Miller’s old fashioned wide egg noodles–in the stand up bag in the pasta aisle
- Crushed tomatoes
- Tomato sauce
- Butter
- Onion powder
- Spinach
- Mozzarella
- Parmesan cheese
Steps
Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When display says HOT add in the ground beef and break it up. Add in the onion and mushrooms. Brown for 5 minutes. Drain off excess grease. Stir in 1 tsp of garlic powder, italian seasoning, pepper and salt.
Pour in the broth and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking. Turn off Instant Pot.
Sprinkle in the noodles. Dump the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce evenly over the noodles. Add in the butter, onion powder and the remaining 1 tsp of garlic powder.
Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set manual/pressure cook button to 4 minutes. When time is up let pot sit for 5-10 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid. Stir.
Stir in the spinach.
Spread half of the mixture in a 8×8 inch pan and the other half in another 8×8 inch pan. Sprinkle the cheeses evenly over both pans. Bake at 350° F for 20 minutes. (You can also bake later: Cover with foil and refrigerate until ready to bake. Bake at 350° F for 35-40 minutes).
Notes/Tips
- Serve with salad and garlic bread.
- This recipe can make one large 9×13 inch pan or two 8×8 inch smaller pans.
- I used my 6 quart Instant Pot*. You can also make this in an 8 quart pot. Half the recipe for a 3 quart pot.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container* in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Other recipes you can make with spinach are Instant Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Instant Pot Monterey Spaghetti.
Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc.? Use the filter to find exactly what you are looking for.
Pay It Forward Casserole
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 minutes (plus 5 minute NPR)
- Total Time: 24 minutes
- Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
Description
An Instant Pot casserole combining seasoned ground beef, mushrooms, noodles, and tomatoes with melty cheese and spinach for a family-friendly dinner. It makes two pans…one for now and one to give away (or save for later).
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 cup diced onion
- 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
- 2 tsp garlic powder, divided
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 4 cups beef broth
- 16 ounces Mrs. Miller’s old fashioned wide egg noodles
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 cups chopped spinach
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When display says HOT add in the ground beef and break it up. Add in the onion and mushrooms. Brown for 5 minutes. Drain off excess grease. Stir in 1 tsp of garlic powder, italian seasoning, pepper and salt.
- Pour in the broth and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking. Turn off Instant Pot.
- Sprinkle in the noodles. Dump the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce evenly over the noodles. Add in the butter, onion powder and the remaining 1 tsp of garlic powder.
- Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set manual/pressure cook button to 4 minutes. When time is up let pot sit for 5-10 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid. Stir.
- Stir in the spinach.
- Spread half of the mixture in a 8×8 inch pan and the other half in another 8×8 inch pan. Sprinkle the cheeses evenly over both pans. Bake at 350° F for 20 minutes. (You can also bake later: Cover with foil and refrigerate or freeze until ready to bake. Bake thawed casserole at 350° F for 35-40 minutes).
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Instant Pot
More Instant Pot Beef and Noodles Recipes…
Aunt Martha’s Casserole
A cozy and creamy Instant Pot beef and noodle casserole with a tangy tomato base, tender egg noodles, and a rich topping of cream cheese, sour cream, and cheddar.
Cross Country Casserole
A fast and easy dump-and-go Instant Pot dinner with egg noodles, Italian style meatballs, and garlic pasta sauce with a touch of cream cheese and spinach.
Miss Hulling’s Casserole
An Instant Pot (or stove/oven) casserole with ground beef, ranch seasoning, old fashioned egg noodles, tomato sauce, and a creamy layer of sour cream and cottage cheese, all topped with melted cheddar.
Mysterious Mannequin Casserole
A beef and macaroni Instant Pot dish loaded with tender pasta, savory ground beef, sweet corn, melty cheddar, and just enough spice to keep it interesting.
*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Not a complaint just an observation, the cooktime for the instant pot says cook for 5 mins wait time 5-1o not 5-10). By the way,
I love your recipes. I use and pay the yearly fee of $19.00 to cheftap as I have exceeded the 100 free recipe storage that is allowed to try the app. This is the only app that I pay for so that says something. Thanks!
oh, thanks! I will correct that 🙂