BEEF-NOODLE CASSEROLE

1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 cup onions, chopped finely
3 quarts boiling water
2-3/4 cups noodles, yolk-free, enriched, uncooked
1 (10-3/4 ounce) can condensed cream of tomato soup
1-1/4 cups water
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 cup bread crumbs

Brown beef and onions in hot skillet; drain.

Place water in large saucepan; bring to rolling boil. Cook noodles in boiling water for 10 minutes; drain and set aside.

Combine soup, water, and pepper. Stir into cooked meat. Add cooked noodles to meat mixture. Stir gently to avoid tearing the noodles.

Spoon beef-noodle mixture into 9-by 13-inch baking pan. Sprinkle bread crumbs over beef-noodle mixture.

Bake, uncovered, at 300 F, about 30 minutes.

Servings: 4 (about 3 cups each)
PER SERVING: Calories 595, Total fat 18 grams, Saturated fat 6 grams, Cholesterol 86 milligrams, Sodium 575 milligrams