Recipe: Beef and Noodle Casserole

Lu: You did not say if you had a preference of beef type or noodle style..

here is one to start
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Beef and Noodle Casserole
You might call this lasagna casserole. It's made with small
lasagna-shaped noodles called mafalda. If your store doesn't carry
them, you can substitute twists, macaroni, ziti or other medium
pasta shapes.

8 oz mafalda
1 medium onion, chopped
12 oz ground beef round
1 clove garlic, minced
2 cans (15 oz each) reduced-sodium tomato sauce
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 tbsp water
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp dried Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp salt (optional)
pinch of ground black pepper
1 3/4 cups fat-free ricotta cheese
1 cup (4 oz) finely shredded fat-free or reduced-fat mozzarella
cheese
4 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

Cook the mafalda in a large pot of boiling water for 10 minutes, or
until just tender. Drain, rinse with hot water and drain again.

Meanwhile, place the onions in a 3-quart microwave-safe
casserole. Cover and microwave on high power for 3 to 4
minutes, or until tender. Stir in the beef and garlic. Cover and
microwave for a total of 5 to 7 minutes, or until the meat is
browned; stop and stir every 2 minutes to break up the meat.
Break up any remaining large pieces of meat.

Drain the meat mixture in a strainer or colander, then transfer it to
a large plat lined with paper towels. Blot the top of the meat
mixture with additional paper towels. Return the mixture to the
casserole.

Stir in the tomato sauce, parsley, water, tomato paste, Italian
seasoning, salt (if using) and pepper. Cover and microwave for a
total of 8 to 9 minutes, or until heated through; stop and stir after 4
minutes.

Using a ladle, remove 4 cups of the sauce mixture and set aside.
Top the remaining sauce in the casserole with half of the mafalda.
Add half of the ricotta and use the back of a large spoon to evenly
spread the cheese. Sprinkle with the mozzarella and top with 2
cups of the reserved sauce.

Add the remaining mafalda and sprinkle with 2 tbsp of the
Parmesan. Cover with the remaining 2 cups sauce.

Cover and microwave for a total of 5 to 6 minutes; stop and rotate
the casserole a quarter turn after 3 minutes.

Sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan. Microwave
for 1 to 2 minutes more, or until heated through. Let stand for 5
minutes before serving. Serves 6.