I cannot begin to tell you what a lifesaver this casserole was for me. After I had my third child I was really frazzled for about a week. Just the sheer chaos of getting used to having a new baby and 2 kids under 4 at home was daunting, at first. My neighbor saw me struggling and brought over this wonderful friendship casserole one evening. It was so very sweet of her! Plus, the casserole tasted amazing.
Whenever someone in our church has a baby the congregation takes turns bringing them a meal. This casserole would be perfect!
Ingredients
1/2 – cup green pepper, chopped
1/2 – cup onion, chopped
3/4 – cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1 – 48 oz jar good quality spaghetti sauce or use homemade
1 – 16 oz pkg medium egg noodles (I prefer no yolk dumplings)
1/2 – cup Kerrygold butter
1/4 – teaspoon McCormick onion powder
1/4 – teaspoon garlic powder
½ – cup Kraft grated Parmesan cheese
2 – 16 oz pkg shredded mozzarella or shredded Italian cheese blend
2 – 13 x 9-inch disposable aluminum pans
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large skillet, add the ground beef and brown, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Drain off any fat.
Add the green pepper, onion and mushrooms and saute with the meat for an additional 5 minutes. Add spaghetti sauce and simmer for 20 minutes.
While the sauce is cooking start cooking the pasta. Cook the pasta according to package directions for (al dente). Drain and toss with butter, garlic, powder, onion powder and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Spray two 13 x 9 inch pans with non-stick spray.
In each baking pan add half of the meat sauce, divide the pasta equally between the two baking pans. Add the remainder of the meat sauce in each pan (over the pasta). Top each of the baking pans with shredded mozzarella or Italian cheese blend.
Cover with foil that has been sprayed with non stick spray and bake for 35 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 5 minutes.
For Gifting: If gifting the second casserole present it unbaked. This way if the person you are giving the casserole doesn’t want to eat it right away, they can freeze it. Wrap the casserole in double plastic wrap and a add layer of foil. Add a bow around the whole baking dish and slide a wooden spoon under the bow along with a recipe card with baking instructions
Freezing Instructions: If you’re freezing the second casserole prepare and assemble both casseroles. Bake one and then wrap the second one unbaked with plastic wrap (I use double plastic wrap), then cover with aluminum foil, label, date and place the casserole in the freezer for another day. When ready to use remove from freezer, thaw completely and bake.
Quick Tip: Serve this delicious casserole with garlic toast and a side salad.
