Beef-Noodle Casserole - egg noodles

Method

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cook noodles, according to package directions, until barely tender.
• Rinse in cold water to stop the cooking, and drain.
• Melt butter in a large skillet, add the ground beef and minced garlic and saute until beef loses its pinkness and is well crumbled.
• If using garlic powder, add it now, along with the salt, pepper, sugar, and tomato sauce.
• Cook over low heat for 10 minutes.
• Cream the cream cheese if using ; blend in cottage cheese and sour cream (yes, you may use low-fat varieties).
• Butter a 13x9-inch baking dish.
• Spread 1/2 of the noodles over the bottom.
• Top this with 1/2 of the cheese mixture and then 1/2 of the meat sauce.
• repeat layers.
• Sprinkle top with grated Cheddar cheese.
• Bake in preheated over about 20-30 minutes until bubbly.
• Varisations:.
• You can vary this recipe in lots off ways to suit your family's taste buds.
• Here's a few suggestions.
• (1) Saute an onion or 1/2 lb.
• cleaned, sliced mushrooms with the meat.
• (2) Add a pinch of basil and/or oregano to the meat sauce.
• (3) Add 1/4 cup chopped olives to the cheese mixture.
• (4) Sprinkle one-half of a 10-oz.
• package of frozen chopped spinach, defrosted, and very well drained, atop each layer of cheese mixture.
• (5) Instead of Cheddar cheese, sprinkle the top of casserole with 1/2 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese.
• NOTE: Entire casserole can be prepared earlier in the day and refrigerated.
• Add 10-15 minutes to reheating time in this case.
• When reheating leftovers, cover with foil.