Cheesy Beef Casserole

Submitted by Kittencalrecipezazz

"This casserole tastes similar to lasagna. Serve with a side order of salad. I also add in one can undiluted tomato soup with the tomato sauce, but that is optional! with the tomatoes!."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 5mins
• Ingredients: 16
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 4 cups uncooked medium egg noodles (I just use one bag)
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh minced garlic (to taste)
• 1 teaspoon cayenne (or to taste) or 1 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes (or to taste)
• 1 cup canned mushroom slices, drained (or to taste, I just use the whole can)
• 1⁄4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup small curd cottage cheese
• 1⁄2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 3 green onions, chopped
• 1 small chopped green pepper
• salt and pepper
• grated mozzarella cheese or cheddar cheese, for topping

directions

1. Set oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease a 13x9 baking dish.
3. Cook noodles in a large pot of boiling water; drain and toss with 3 tablespoons butter.
4. Place half of the cooked noodles in the baking dish.
5. Meanwhile, in a skillet, cook ground beef, onion, garlic and cayenne and mushrooms, over medium heat until meat is no londer pink; drain.
6. Add tomato sauce and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese; simmer for about 30 minutes seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
7. In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, cottage cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan, green onions and green peppers, then spread half of the mixture on top of the cooked noodles.
8. Top with half of the meat and cheese mixtures.
9. Repeat the layers.
10. Cover and bake for 20 minutes.
11. Uncover and sprinkle with grated cheese.
12. Place back in the oven to bake for about 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is bubbley.

Reviews

[kittycatmom]

DH wanted something different for lunch today, and I wanted an easy to make casserole. We decided that this recipe would do the trick. We weren't disappointed. I did make a little change only using 1 chopped onion, and no green onions. I also used sour cream instead of cream cheese -- didn't realize until I was ready to put it together that I didn't have cream cheese. And fresh mushrooms instead of canned. I also mixed the cottage cheese mixture and the noodles and layered the meat and a little extra Parm. Delicious KITT! Thank you!

 

[LAURIE]

Kitz, this one needs some adjusting. I was confused in the ingrdients and the directions. I used your recommendation for a can of tomato soup, and used a 15oz can of diced tomatoes, but the directions call for tomato sauce to be added. I had no noodles but used a pound of medium shells and that worked fine as the sauce stuck to them nicely, but we are huge cheese eaters and even the kids said it was too much cheese. Next time I think that I will use half the cream cheese and not all the parm in the middle. I did put pizza blend on the top and let it melt in too. This could be really good with some alterations.