Pizza-Rice Casserole

This is a great way to use up leftover rice.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 2  cups cooked brown rice (I like brown, it holds up better in this casserole) or 2  cups white rice (I like brown, it holds up better in this casserole)
• 1 1⁄2 cups cream-style cottage cheese
• 1  small green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1  lb ground beef
• 1  onion, chopped
• 2  tablespoons  fresh minced garlic
•  seasoning  salt and black pepper
• 1⁄4 cup  grated parmesan cheese
• 2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce (Hunt's is best)
• 2  teaspoons sugar
• 1  teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 -2  teaspoon dried oregano
• 3  cups  shredded mozzarella cheese (or any cheese blend)

Directions

1. Set oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease a 13 x 9-inch or 11 x 7-inch baking dish.
3. In a frypan, brown beef with onions and garlic; drain fat then season with salt and pepper, the add/mix in Parmesan cheese.
4. Add in the tomato sauce with the sugar, parsley and oregano; cover and simmer for about 25-30 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine the cooked rice and cottage cheese, then season with salt and pepper (you can add in about 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese to the mixture if desired).
6. Transfer 1/3 of the mixture into a greased casserole.
7. Sprinkle ALL of the green peppers over the mixture.
8. Top with about 1/3 of the meat mixture.
9. Continue to alternate layers, ending with the meat mixture.
10. Bake covered or uncovered for 20 minutes; remove from the oven, sprinkle with grated cheese, return to oven, uncovered, bake for 15 minutes more.