Eight-Layer Noodle Casserole

My first recipe!  So I might not post the most healthy recipes, BUT I'll try to keep them good and easy!  


I'm aiming for at least one a week and maybe squeeze some extras in if I get to it!


I do not want to give the impression that I make up any of these recipes.  I might add or take away ingredients, but I do not have any culinary skills besides FOLLOWING recipes :-P!  My younger brother went to culinary school, he got all those skills of the family!


So here you go!

Printer Friendly Version

Ingredients

• 3 cups dried noodles (I used ziti noodles)
• 1 lb ground beef 
• 3 8 oz cans tomato sauce (original recipe only called for 2 cans but we like things saucy)
• 1 tsp basil
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1 8 oz carton sour cream
• 1 8 oz package of cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/3 cup chopped onion
• 1 10 oz package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
• Mushrooms to taste (OPTIONAL - just an after thought and mushrooms never ruin anything! :-))
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Grease casserole dish.  Cook Noodles according to their directions
2. Brown & Drain beef.  Add tomato sauce, basil, sugar, garlic powder, salt & pepper into pan with beef.  Bring to boil then simmer for 5 minutes.
3. In separate bowl, beat the cream cheese and sour cream until smooth.  Stir in milk.  Put half of this mixture in fridge for later.  (I did not do this but I will next time because the onions did not cook long enough on the top layer)  Then mix onions in remaining cream cheese mixture.  
4. Now layer casserole
• Half of the noodles
• Half of the meat mixture
• Half of the cream cheese mixture with the onions
• All of the spinach
• Mushrooms (optional) (This makes it a 9-layer casserole!)
• Remaining noodles
• Remaining meat mixture
5. Cover casserole and bake 350 degrees for approx 45 minutes.  
6. Uncover 
• Remaining cream cheese mixture
• Cheddar Cheese
7. Bake, Uncovered for 10 more minutes.

We are only two mouths right now -- So next time I will separate into two dishes and freeze half, it made a lot.  If you are a bigger family double the recipe and freeze for an easy meal next time!  

For frozen casserole --- let thaw and cook for 1hr at 350 degrees (or until heated through) then sprinkle with cheddar cheese and cook 10 more minutes uncovered. 

I got this recipe from

 Find this recipe and go share your own here: