Easy Beef and Noodle Casserole

This is a perfect recipe for today's busy cooks. It is quick, simple, and economical. You can even make it ahead, refrigerate, and pop it in the oven when you get home from work, the game, kids practice, music lessons, dance lessons, etc. You can put a complete meal on the table for your family in barely more time than fast food. And with the meat and dairy products in this dish, it allows diabetics to enjoy noodles.

BEEF AND NOODLE CASSEROLE



1 package (8 oz) no-yolk noodles
2 lbs lean ground beef
1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
2 tbsp flour
2 cups low-fat cottage cheese
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 tsp garlic salt
1/4 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp basil
1/2 cup low-fat Mozzarella cheese, shredded
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cook noodles according to package directions. Remove from heat and drain in a colander. Spray a large skillet with non-stick cooking spray; add meat and cook until browned. Drain meat in a large colander and rinse with hot water to remove any fat. Return meat to skillet and stir in the tomato sauce and flour. Simmer for ten minutes. In a bowl, combine cottage cheese, sour cream, onion, bell pepper and spices. Spray an oblong casserole dish with non-stick vegetable spray. Put half of the noodles in the bottom of the casserole dish. Spread the cottage cheese mixture over the noodles. Top the cottage cheese mixture with the remaining noodles. Cover with the meat mixture. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle shredded cheese over the top. Let set at least 10 minutes before serving.