Thursday, March 22, 2012

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!





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. 


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1 comment:

  1. This looks delicious. I might have to work on making a variation due to Ed's stomach not liking sour cream and cream cheese :) Thank you for linking up on Successful Saturdays! Keep up the great cooking!!!

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