EIGHT-LAYER CASSEROLE Ingredients:
3 cups dried medium noodles (6 ounces)
1 pound ground beef
2 8-ounce cans tomato sauce
1 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 8-ounce carton dairy sour cream
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup chopped onion (1 small)
1 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach,
cooked and well drained
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (4 ounces)
Directions:
Grease a 2-quart casserole or a 2-quart square
baking dish; set aside. Cook noodles according
to package directions; drain and set aside.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet cook beef until
brown. Drain off fat. Stir tomato sauce, basil,
ugar,garlic powder,salt and pepper into skillet.
Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer,
uncovered, for 5 mins.In a medium mixing bowl
beat together the sour cream and cream cheese
with an electric mixer on medium speed until
smooth. Stir in milk and onion. In prepared
casserole or baking dish, layer half of the
noodles (about 2 cups), half of the meat mixture
(about 1 1/2 cups), half of the cream cheese
mixture (about 1 cup), and all of the spinach.
Top with the remaining meat mixture and
noodles. Cover and chill remaining cream
cheese mixture until needed.Cover casserole
or baking dish with lightly greased foil. Bake in
350 degree F oven about 45 mins or until heated
through. Uncover; spread with remaining cream
cheese mixture. Sprinkle with the cheddar
cheese. Bake, uncovered, about 10 mins more
or until cheese is melted. Let stand for 10 mins
before serving. Makes 8 servings.