Friendship Casserole

This recipe yields 2 casseroles , so 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, or someone with an illness.

Ingredients: 2 - lbs ground beef or ground turkey 1/2 - cup green pepper, chopped 1/2 - cup onion, chopped 3/4 - cup sliced fresh mushrooms 1 - 48 oz jar spaghetti sauce 1 - 16 oz pkg medium egg noodles 1/2 - cup margarine or butter 1/4 - teaspoon onion powder 1/4 - teaspoon garlic powder ½ - cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 - 16 oz pkg shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions: Preheat oven to 350º Brown meat and drain off any fat. Add the green pepper, onion and mushrooms and saute with the meat for 5 minutes. Add spaghetti sauce and simmer for 20 minutes. While the sauce is cooking start cooking the pasta. Cook the pasta according to package directions for (al dente). Drain and toss with margarine, garlic, powder, onion powder and Parmesan cheese.

Spray two 13x9 inch pans with non-stick spray. In each pan layer half the sauce, all the noodles, remaining sauce and top with mozzarella cheese (8 oz per casserole). Cover with foil that has been sprayed with non stick spray and bake 45 minutes. Cook's Note: Green peppers, onions and mushrooms are optional. Make sure the person you are gifting this wonderful casserole to likes those types of veggies. If not just omit them fro the recipe.

Freezing Instructions: If you're freezing the second casserole prepare and assemble both casseroles. Bake one and then take the second unbaked casserole and double wrap it with plastic wrap, and then cover with aluminum foil, label, date and place the casserole in the freezer for a later date. When ready to use remove from freezer, thaw and bake.

Thank you for looking! :)