Recipe: Layered Pasta Casserole (using ground beef)

LAYERED PASTA CASSEROLE

4 cups uncooked rigatoni pasta
1 pound extra lean ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
3 cups spaghetti sauce
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 cup shredded fontina or Mozzarella cheese

Boil pasta, drain and rinse.

Meanwhile, brown ground beef, add onion, green pepper and garlic, cook for 10 minutes, drain fat. Stir in pasta sauce, bring to a boil, reduce heat and let simmer 15 minutes.

Grease casserole, put a thin layer of meat sauce on bottom, cover with 1/3 of pasta, 1/3 of meat sauce, 1/3 of parmesan cheese. Repeat layers twice, top with fontina cheese.

Cover and bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes, uncover and bake 15 minutes longer.

Note: Casserole can be made ahead, covered and refrigerated, let warm to room temperature before baking.

From: Sandy