Wonderful Beef And Noodle Casserole

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 12 ounces uncooked dry wide egg noodles
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
• 1/4 cup chopped seeded red bell peppers or 1/4 cup green bell pepper
• 1/2 large onion, chopped
• 2 -3 cloves garlic, minced,more to taste
• 3 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon sugar, less to taste
• 1 teaspoon italian seasoning, lightly crushed to release oils
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1 cup cottage cheese, drained if watery
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened (can use light)
• 1/2 cup sour cream or 1/2 cup drained nonfat yogurt
• 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 5 -6 scallions, chopped,divided (green onions)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic granules
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (can use reduced-fat)

Recipe

• 1 cook noodles according to package directions until softened, but definitely still undercooked, drain, and toss with olive oil so they do not stick together.
• 2 in a large skillet over medium heat, cook crumbled ground beef, bell pepper, onion, and garlic until beef is browned, breaking up meat as it cooks.
• 3 drain fat, add tomato sauce, sugar, italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, and stir until combined.
• 4 gently stir in noodles.
• 5 in a medium bowl, combine cottage cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, parmesan cheese, half of scallions, parsley, and remaining salt, granulated garlic, and pepper.
• 6 layer half of the noodle mixture in a greased 9"x13"x2" baking dish.
• 7 cover with all of cheese-sour cream mixture.
• 8 top with remaining noodle mixture, and sprinkle with cheddar cheese and remaining scallions.
• 9 bake, uncovered, in a 350 degree f oven for 35-40 minutes or until thoroughly heated through and bubbly.
• 10 let stand 5 minutes before serving.