My Favorite Recipes: Pasta Casserole

One of my favorite comfort casseroles is my pasta casserole. It can be customized to your tastes and it is very easy to make. You can also freeze individual portions for a quick mid week dinner! Add a nice Caesar salad and some Ghiradelli brownies for dessert and you've got yourself one decadent meal.

Serves 12-14

Ingredients

1 lb Ground Beef

1 28oz can diced tomatoes

1 28oz can tomato sauce

1 yellow onion

1 green pepper

6 white american cheese slices

1 lb pasta, any kind

Spices to taste

Instructions
	Cook 1 lb of pasta (any kind) until al dente Tip:  Cook the pasta for about 1 minute less because it will continue to cook in the oven Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
	Dice the onion and green pepper In a large skillet, brown the onion and green pepper in 1 tbsp real butter Add and brown 1 lb ground beef
	Mix the onion, green pepper, and ground beef together Drain the fat
	By this time the pasta should be cooked Strain the pasta
	Add 28 oz diced tomatoes and 28 oz tomato sauce to the skillet with the ground beef mixture Set the heat on high and bring to a boil
	Add spices to taste (Garlic Powder, Basil, Oregano, Salt Pepper, etc) Set the heat on medium and simmer for 15 minutes
	In a greased 9x13 casserole dish, layer 1/2 of the pasta. Tip: If the pasta is too hot, run some cold water over it. Layer 1/2 of the meat sauce mixture Break up 3 white american cheese slices and add to the top of the first layer
	Layer 1/2 of the pasta Layer 3 white american cheese slices (the pasta sauce should be on top) Layer 1/2 of the meat sauce mixture
	Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes until bubbly Allow to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving
	Top with parmesan cheese if desired Freeze in individual portions for a quick and easy mid-week meal!