Main Dishes:

Company Casserole

Comment on this recipe

"This dish is perfect to prepare ahead and serve at the last minute. A nice change from Lasagne, it easily can be multiplied for a crowd." Note: "Substituting ground turkey for half the ground beef in the recipe is a smart way to cut cost without sacrificing flavor."

Ingredients

8 ounces noodles
1-1/2 pounds ground beef
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 cans (8 ounces each) tomato sauce
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese
1 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup dairy sour cream
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1/4 cup chopped green peppers (optional)
2 tablespoons butter (optional)
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Cook noodles in salted water until done but not soggy, about 7 to 8 minutes. Rinse with cold water and drain well. In a skillet, brown crumbled ground beef. Add salt, pepper and tomato sauce, and simmer slowly while preparing remaining ingredients. Combine cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, green onion and green pepper. In greased 3-quart casserole, spread half the noodles. Top with cheese mixture, then add remaining noodles. Pour 2 tablespoons melted butter over noodles. Pour meat mixture over top. Sprinkle with grated cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Add 15 minutes to baking time if casserole has been made ahead and refrigerated. To microwave: Heat uncovered casserole on high for 8 to 10 minutes. Add 4 to 5 minutes if casserole was refrigerated.

Lorraine Ingersoll
Moline