Jackie Apgar's Company Casserole

Jackie's company casserole is a rich, filling, dish that even the kids love. We got the recipe from my mother-in-law's *favorites* recipe file. We're not sure where she got it, but it is a family favorite.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 8  ounces  egg noodles
• 16  ounces ground beef
• 1⁄2 tablespoon olive oil
• 16  ounces tomato sauce
• 8  ounces cream cheese
• 1  cup cottage cheese
• 1⁄4 cup sour cream
• 1⁄3 cup scallion, finely chopped (green onions)
• 1  cup green pepper, finely chopped (or celery)
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons  italian seasoning
• 2  dashes Tabasco sauce (or other "hot" sauce)
• 4  teaspoons water
• 2  teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons salt
• 1  teaspoon sugar
• 1 -2  cup cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Boil the noodles as directed on the package.
2. In a bowl, combine the tomato sauce, water, Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt and sugar.
3. Brown the ground beef in Olive oil and drain.
4. Add the tomato sauce mixture to the ground beef.
5. In a separate bowl, mix the cream cheese and the remaining ingredients.
6. In a greased 9x13" casserole pan (cake pan), spread 1/2 of the noodles.
7. Add all of the cream cheese mixture.
8. Add the remaining noodles.
9. Add the ground beef / tomato sauce mixture.
10. Bake for 20-30 minutes at 350°F.
11. Top with Cheddar cheese.