Friendship Casserole

By Tricia33

Try and think of someone who might need a reminder that they have friends who care about them. A new mom in your neighborhood, a family who’s moving, someone with an illness or just someone that needs to be reminded that they are a special part of your life.

This casserole not only cheers up the gift recipient but also the person giving it. I like to take my children along with me when we pass on a friendship casserole. I want them to experience that giving is just as wonderful as receiving.

This casserole is really easy and pretty quick to assemble. It also utilized pantry ingredients making this dish very economical.

Ingredients

• 2 - lbs ground beef
• 1 - 48 oz jar spaghetti sauce
• 2 - tablespoons sugar
• 1 - 16 oz pkg medium egg noodles
• 1/2 - cup margarine or butter
• 1/2 - teaspoon onion salt (or onion powder)
• 1/2 - teaspoon garlic salt (or garlic powder)
• 1/2 - cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 - 12 oz pkg shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 - cup each sauteed green pepper, onion & mushrooms, optional

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350º Brown meat and drain fat. Add spaghetti sauce and sugar to meat; simmer 20 minutes.

Cook noodles as directed (al dente); drain and toss with margarine, salts and Parmesan cheese. Spray two 9x13 pans with non-stick spray.

In each pan layer half the sauce, all the noodles, rest of sauce; top with mozzarella cheese. Cover with foil; bake 45 minutes.

Cook's Note: The sauteed green bell peppers, onions and mushrooms is optional. Make sure the person you are gifting this wonderful casserole to likes those types of veggies. If not just leave them out.
Since this recipe makes enough for two casseroles, plan one for your family and one for a friend. Think of someone who might need a reminder that they have friends who care about them - a new mom in your neighborhood, a family who’s moving, someone with an illness.