Beef-n-Pasta Two Ways

It has been a LONG time since I posted a recipe, and I hope to get back in the habit of sharing.  I love having a permanent "recipe box" here, as well as pinning to Pinterest.  (You can click RECIPES above to see all of my past food posts.)

Over the past month, I made two different beef and noodle casseroles using Southern Living recipes.  These were both the ultimate definition of comfort food, and would be perfect to freeze or deliver to a friend.  

The original recipes (which I will link below) make a 13x9 pan.  This is often too big for us, since the kids aren't big casserole fans.  So I tweaked the ingredients a little and made them in 11x7 pans.  You can easily make this change by cutting back on the pasta amount.  Or make the recipe and divide into 8x8 square pans.  Eat one now and freeze the other.  And like most recipes I prepare, you can mix and match ingredients to adjust the taste or use what you have.

Homestyle Beef Casserole

(original recipe)

1 lb ground beef

1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, Italian style

1 6 oz tomato paste

1 t salt

1/2 t dried Italian seasoning

1/4 t pepper

3 cups dry egg noodles or other pasta (I used less to make smaller pan)

5 green onions, chopped 

8 oz sour cream

3 oz cream cheese (I used less)

1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (I used less of all cheeses for my smaller pan)

1.  Brown ground beef in skillet.  Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, Italian seasoning, and pepper.  Add a little water if needed to make the mixture saucy.

2.  Preheat oven to 350.  Cook pasta according to directions.  Stir together noodles, green onions sour cream and cream cheese.

3.  Spoon pasta mixture into lightly greased baking dish.  Top with beef mixture and then cheese in order listed.

4.  Bake COVERED at 350 for 35 minutes.  Uncover and finish for 5 minutes.  Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Greek Baked Pasta

(original recipe)

12 oz ziti pasta (I used penne)

1 small onion, chopped

1 T olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 1/2 lb ground beef (I used 1 lb for my smaller pan)

2 15 oz cans tomato sauce 

1 T fresh lemon juice

1 1/2 T dried oregano

1 t sugar

1/2 t cinnamon

salt

3 T butter

3 T flour

3 cups milk

1 cup grated Parmesan

1/2 t pepper

8 oz shredded mozzarella

1/3 cup bread crumbs

1.  Preheat oven to 350.  Cook pasta according to directions.

2.  Meanwhile, saute onion in olive oil until tender.  Add garlic.  Add beef and brown.  Drain fat.

3.  Stir in tomato sauce, lemon juice, oregano, sugar, cinnamon and 1 tsp salt.  Simmer for several minutes.

4.  Melt butter in large saucepan over low heat.  Whisk in flour and cook for 2 minutes stirring constantly.  Gradually whisk in milk.  Increase heat and stir constantly 5-7 minutes.  Stir in Parmesan, pepper and 1/2 tsp salt.  Add sauce to pasta, stirring to coat.

5.  Transfer past mixture to lightly greased baking pan.  Top with beef mixture, mozzarella cheese and breadcrumbs.

6.  Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.  Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

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I hope you enjoy these comfort food recipes!