Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped onion
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup diced peeled carrot
  • 1 1/2 cups diced celery
  • 1 1/2 lbs ground chuck or 1 1/2 lbs very lean hamburger
  • 20 small mushroom caps
  • 1/2 cup sherry wine
  • 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
  • 1 (17 ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon salt (to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 (8 ounce) package small shell pasta
  • 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach
  • 1/2 cup fresh bread, cubes buttered
  • 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
  • grated parmesan cheese

Method

  • Heat the oil in a large skilled and saute onion, garlic, carrot, celery and mushrooms for about 5 minutes until onion is golden.
  • Add beef and cook stirring continuously until no longer red.
  • Add tomato paste, diced tomatoes, sherry, salt, pepper, oregano, basil.
  • Simmer uncovered for 1 1/2 hours.
  • Cook macaroni and spinach as per package directions.
  • Drain well and add to sauce.
  • Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Place mixture in a 3 quart casserole dish.
  • Top with bread cubes and cheddar cheese.
  • Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.
  • Serve sprinkled with parmesan cheese.