What's Cookin' Monday

Happy Monday, friends!!! I hope that you all had a wonderful week-end and are getting back into the swing of things in this brand-new week! Today's recipe is a real Spears' family favorite, especially during the fall and winter months. As you have surely guessed by now, I like recipes that are convenient and easy to fix. This one is really good served with a fresh green salad and some home-baked garlic bread or Texas toast. A real stick-to-your-ribs supper!!!

Mama Char’s Italian Casserole

1 pound ground beef (the leaner, the better)
1 small onion chopped
1 jar prepared spaghetti sauce (your family favorite, or home-canned)
1 can mushrooms (you can use fresh, sliced white mushrooms, if you prefer)
1 can tomatoes with basil and garlic
1 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp Ex-virg Olive Oil
8 oz package rotini pasta (cooked according to directions)
3 cups Colby-jack cheese shredded
½ cup shredded parmesan cheese

Brown the ground beef and the onions in a large dutch oven or skillet. Add the mushrooms, tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, sugar and olive oil and cook covered over low heat. Stir often and cook until the liquid reduces and it becomes thickened. In the mean time cook the pasta in a pan according to the directions on the package. When the pasta is done, drain it in a colander and set aside.

Assembling the casserole: Pour a thin layer of the finished sauce in the bottom of a 9 x 13 oven safe baking dish. (Of course, I would most highly recommend one of our Celebrating Home Casserole bakers ;-) Pour ½ of the pasta into the pan and top with ½ of the remaining sauce and ½ of the two cheeses. Repeat the layering, finishing with the parmesan cheese on top. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 35 minutes until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly. Serve with toasted garlic bread and a fresh salad.

Tuscan Home Casserole

Hope you enjoy today's recipe. Let me know what you think.

Hugs to all and Stay Cozy!
Charlotte