Hamburger Cheese Bake

 

To make ahead prepare as above; cover unbaked casserole with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for up to 24

hours. Remove plastic wrap and cover loosely with foil. Bake in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.

Uncover and bake about 15 minutes more or until heated through.

Serves 8

12 oz lean ground beef

1/2 cup onion, chopped

1 can tomato sauce, 15 oz

1 teaspoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

4 cups noodles, medium dried

1 cup cottage cheese, creamed

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup sour cream

1/3 cup green onion, sliced

1/4 cup green pepper, chopped

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

In large skillet cook the ground beef and onion until meat is brown and onion is tender. Drain well. Stir

in tomato sauce, sugar, salt, garlic powder, and pepper. Remove from heat.

Meanwhile, cook the noodles and drain. Stir together cottage cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, green

onions, and sweet green pepper.

Spread half of the noodles in a 2-quart rectangular baking dish. Top with about half of the meat

mixture. Top with the cottage cheese mixture. Top with remaining noodles and remaining meat

mixture. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 degrees about 30 minutes or until heated through.

This works great with specialty-shaped pasta for a holiday/festive meal. We made it with heart-shaped

pasta 2/14/2002, have also done it with Christmas-shaped pasta. One 12 oz package works pretty well, but it needs more sauce. Three 8 oz. cans of tomato sauce should work pretty well.