Deluxe Weekend Dish

Ingredients

• 2 tbls. olive oil
• 2 lbs. ground round beef
• 1 (15-oz.) can tomato sauce
• 1 (12-oz.) can tomato paste
• 2 tsps. dried basil
• 2 tsps. crumbled oregano
• 1 (1-oz.) pkg. dry onion soup mix (Some come two to a box.)
• 1 cup water
• 1 or 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 tsps. salt
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper
• 1/4 tsp. red pepper
• 1/2 lb. thin noodles, spaghetti or macaroni
• 1 lb. mozzarella cheese, grated
• 1 (1-lb.) carton small-curd cottage cheese
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Brown meat in olive oil; drain off excess fat.

2. Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, basil, oregano, dry soup mix, water, garlic, salt, black pepper and red pepper. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Taste for seasoning.

3. Boil pasta in salted water until tender; drain.

4. Layer in casserole: Pasta, mozzarella, meat, cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese.

5. Bake in 350-degree oven for about 30 minutes or until heated.

Serves 12. Recipe is from an “old” Gourmet Galley column. This freezes well. It can be frozen uncooked, or it can be cooked, cut into squares and then frozen in individual portions.